New figures have revealed the “concerning” difference in spend on hospital food across Scotland.
NHS Shetland patients are treated to an average of £230 worth of food and drink in a week, whereas NHS Orkney shells out an average of £139 on islanders who have taken poorly.
Meanwhile, NHS Grampian spends £84 each week per patient, which is tied with NHS Fife as the second lowest sum out of Scotland’s 14 regional health boards.
NHS Highland forks out an average of £97 per patient, which is above the national average of £90.
The findings emerged yesterday, as part of a national research scheme organised by the Scottish Conservatives.
The party has repeatedly stressed the importance of quality hospital food, with experts saying that a nutritional diet during patients’ stays is key to helping them make a good recovery.
The Scottish Conservatives’ health education spokesman, Brian Whittle, said that transport costs could account for some of the differences in spend.
But he insisted that more work needs to be done to ensure that patients across Scotland are receiving meals of equal value.
Mr Whittle said: “It is absolutely vital that hospital food is healthy, of good quality and appetising.
“The disparity in spending between health boards is extremely concerning.
“You would expect island health boards to have a far higher spend because of transportation issues, and everyone accepts that.
“But this data clearly points to a lower quality of meal in some parts of the country.”
Mr Whittle suggested that the Scottish Government should “intervene” to ensure that spending is more equal across the country.
The figures also reveal a gulf in spending between the nation’s two largest health boards, in the central belt.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde was found to spend an average of £76 per patient per week, the lowest in Scotland.
Its closest counterpart, in terms of size, NHS Lothian, spends £102.
