Hospitals leaving hundreds hungry claim

More than 10 patients every day are left starving in North-West hospitals, new figures have revealed.

Despite ministers pledging to make hospital nutrition a priority, thousands of patients have been left badly nourished.

Figures released by Parliament reveal a 46 per cent increase in the number of cases of poor nutrition in North-West hospitals, from 2,591 in 2005 to 3,791 last year.

Nationally, the number rose from 15,473 to 29,138 in the same period — an 88 per cent increase.

Shadow health spokesman Stephen O’Brien, who demanded the figures, said: “This is a further disgraceful statistic from a Government which has failed patients and the public.

“People go to hospital expecting to get better, yet in 2007, 29,000 people suffered unnecessary and completely avoidable harm from poor nutritional care.

“Ministers have presided over this growing scandal, which I have been highlighting for more than two years, and yet this Labour Government has failed to use this 60th anniversary of the NHS to address it.

“Nutrition is central to health and dignity. How many more patients must suffer at the hands of this inept Government?”

The figures show huge regional variations, with a 248 per cent increase in the North-East and a 178 per cent rise in the West Midlands.

The National Patient Safety Agency said the rise in serious incidents was due to better reporting, and included procedures such as feeding-tube insertion.

It said the most incidents had resulted in little or no harm to patients.

Staff have been encouraged to report any untoward incidents anonymously since 2003.

Malnourishment and dehydration is estimated to cost the NHS an extra £1.7 billion each year.