[Greens-Media] Lee Rhiannon: Hospital food privatisation will cost health

[Alison Orme]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - Media Release - 12 August

Hospital food privatisation will cost health

Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on Health Minister John Della Bosca to can a proposal to manage food services centrally and privatise hospital food services, calling it a backward step that risks costing more in the long term through poorer patient recovery rates and longer stays ('New food on the table for public hospitals', SMH, page 5). 
 
The Greens are calling on Premier Nathan Rees to establish nutrition champions within each hospital to drive better training of staff in nutrition, quality food, less waste and sustainable food production. 
 
"The planned centralisation of food services, to pave the way for their sell-off, is another example of Labor's pro-privatisation agenda," Ms Rhiannon said.
 
"The government's focus should be on enhancing food nutrition not making a quick buck through privatisation.
 
"Private companies will focus on maximising profits not nutrition. The move robs patients of quality, nourishing food that is essential to a quick and full recovery.
 
"Garling's report shows that the move to centralised food provision has raised food costs, reduced freshness and made communication between staff and food providers more difficult. He reported 1 in 4 older patients become malnourished during their stay. 
 
"Good nutrition is the heart of public health. Sending patients home malnourished further strains a pressured hospital system.
 
"The Garling Report into public hospitals found saving money on hospital food is a false economy, with inadequate nutrition increasing hospital stays. 
 
"22 million meals are served to hospital patients a year in NSW at a cost of $230 million. 
 
"The government's energy should be focused on ensuring each meal is produced with the maximum nutrition, in a sustainable manner without unwarranted waste
 
"Expanding the buy-in of pre-prepared food and managing food services centrally will only see the poor quality of hospital food sink further," Ms Rhiannon said. 

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
SMH article: http://www.smh.com.au/national/new-food-on-the-table-for-public-hospitals-20090811-eh0w.html?skin=text-only


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au