Vol. 527 No. 5
53 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will consider establishing a food inspector for public hospitals in order to monitor the quality, choice, nutritional value and general standard of food prepared and presented in public hospitals for patients; if his attention has been drawn to the establishment of a food tsar to monitor this issue in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27317/00]
There are no proposals to establish a food inspectorate for public hospitals in this country. However, I am confident that the overall standard of food in Irish hospitals is satisfactory and that the issue of food standards in public hospitals is taken very seriously by hospital management. Both hospital management and staff exercise extreme vigilance and strive to maintain a high standard of food quality in their hospitals. Hospitals employ appropriately qualified and trained catering staff who are responsible for all meals provided. Furthermore, the major capital developments which have taken place in recent years on the design and redevelopment of many public hospitals have included modifications to kitchen and catering facilities which have been upgraded to the highest specifications.
Where necessary, special nutrition and dietary requirements for patients are arranged by nutritionists and-or dieticians employed in hospitals who work in consultation with medical and nursing staff.
