Hospital food still makes one in four patients feel sick

It has not improved since a review last year, with patients describing the current fare as "repulsive", "awful" and "disgusting".

A report for the consumer organisation Which? found one in three of those staying in hospital was unhappy with food served during the past 12 months.

Even staff serving the food think it is poor, with one in five admitting they would not eat the meals they give to patients.

The timing of meals is also criticised after two out of five patients said food was not served when they were able, or wanted, to eat.

The latest survey mirrors findings by Which? last year, when patients also described hospital food as unappetising.

Clare Corbett, the organisation's health campaigner, said: "Our research provides yet more evidence that patients and NHS staff are unhappy with hospital food. So why isn't it getting any better?

"It would seem silence is anything but golden when it comes to hospital care. Patients with serious concerns don't speak out because they don't think it'll change anything, or they're afraid it might compromise their care.

"Hospitals must do more to encourage patients to give feedback, and act on what they say."

A thousand patients were interviewed, all of whom had spent at least one night in hospital in the last 12 months, along with 250 hospital staff.

The survey found a quarter of patients said the food was so bad they bought their own or it was supplied by relatives and friends.

Two out of five described it as "repulsive, making me feel sicker than I was".

The Daily Mail's Dignity for the Elderly campaign has highlighted the poor quality of hospital food.

Campaigners also say lives are being put at risk because nurses do not have time to feed elderly patients properly.

Gordon Lishman, director of Age Concern, said: "The results of this survey are deeply worrying. Good food is essential to recovery."