I fell down the stairs.

[rah]

Yeah, good luck slowy.
As I've gotten older, I take more time on stairs.

[MOBIUS]

Maybe we should rechristen him Slowwfoot instead?

[DaShi]

As someone still recuperating from an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy, I feel your pain.

Still my operation two weeks ago was free (and the smoked salmon, dauphinois potatoes, shredded greens and raspberry mousse after were just what I needed).

The NHS does great breakfasts too.

Also much to my consternation.

[MOBIUS]

I agree, that's my tax payer's money molly's chowing down on...

[molly bloom]

Also much to my consternation.

I'm less a gall bladder and 4 gall stones. As the song says,

I agree, that's my tax payer's money molly's chowing down on

My taxpayer's money too. You can use the air force while I'm not busy with it, if you like.

On the other hand we could scrap all those bilingual Welsh-English signs and leaflets....

[MikeH]

I agree, that's my tax payer's money molly's chowing down on...

There is very good evidence that:

Better food => faster recovery times => less time in hospital.

Many NHS trusts are wasting money by trying to 'save' money by paying less for hospital meals... at least partly the previous government's fault. Their obsession with hitting targets and league tables meant in many cases anything that didn't get measured as a target got overlooked for stuff that did.

[MOBIUS]

I've no problem with that and agree wholeheartedly - it's just that the better food doesn't have to be so expensive sounding. And is having a dessert (albeit with some fruit) either healthy or necessary?

Oh wait...

Patient happiness => faster recovery times => less time in hospital.

[Hauldren Collider]

I am guessing that food costs are probably miniscule compared to actual treatment. I'm willing to bet just having someone occupying a hospital bed costs way more than food.

[MikeH]

Objecting on the basis that it sounds expensive, and without any knowledge of the nutritional make-up of the meal, doesn't really sound like a valid objection.

[MOBIUS]

Oh yes it does! [/Ben]

Smoked Salmon is relatively expensive for hospital food in any book. I doubt that smoked salmon is going to miraculously cure him over any other equally healthy cheaper alternative.

Why not just serve everyone Vegetarian food? That's healthy and cheap and good for the environment.

In fact why not go the whole hog and educate our moronic country to have a better diet AND look at diet before resorting to expensive treatments on the NHS!? Anyone else been watching the Food Hospital on CH4? Fascinating stuff and proof that virtually every doctor in the country desperately needs to be re-educated! It's on tonight at 8pm.

[MOBIUS]

I am guessing that food costs are probably miniscule compared to actual treatment. I'm willing to bet just having someone occupying a hospital bed costs way more than food.

When you multiple even those minuscule cost savings over what must be many millions of meals each year, it can't help but represent a significant saving.

I thought you were a Republican...

[MikeH]

Oh yes it does! [/Ben]

Smoked Salmon is relatively expensive for hospital food in any book. I doubt that smoked salmon is going to miraculously cure him over any other equally healthy cheaper alternative.

Why not just serve everyone Vegetarian food? That's healthy and cheap and good for the environment.

Salmon is an oily fish, lots of health benefits, and when smoked it's preserved in a way that retains nutrients and stays fresh for a relatively long period of time.

It also doesn't require complex cooking, so it's quick and easy to prepare. This might easily offset the greater initial ingredient cost.

I don't know if it would, but it might be more complicated than you suggest.

In fact why not go the whole hog and educate our moronic country to have a better diet AND look at diet before resorting to expensive treatments on the NHS!? Anyone else been watching the Food Hospital on CH4? Fascinating stuff and proof that virtually every doctor in the country desperately needs to be re-educated! It's on tonight at 8pm.

Strawman.

Those things aren't mutually exclusive, of course.

[Hauldren Collider]

Now I haven't seen any data, but I would not be surprised if nicer hospital food saves money if it can reduce a hospital stay by as little as one day.

[MOBIUS]

Salmon is an oily fish, lots of health benefits, and when smoked it's preserved in a way that retains nutrients and stays fresh for a relatively long period of time.

It also doesn't require complex cooking, so it's quick and easy to prepare. This might easily offset the greater initial ingredient cost.

I don't know if it would, but it might be more complicated than you suggest.

There are cheaper oily fish. Failing that, why not just make your patients pop a fish oil supplement? For example, what happens if said patient doesn't like fish, eh? Well that's the 'treatment' ****ed then...

Strawman.

Those things aren't mutually exclusive, of course.

Then it's not really a strawman - prevention is better than the cure, after all...

[MOBIUS]

Now I haven't seen any data, but I would not be surprised if nicer hospital food saves money if it can reduce a hospital stay by as little as one day.

Riiiight... Still, glad to see that you're supporting my basic premise...