Close Menu
WTX News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • The Trump Admin’s Decision Not To Fund SNAP Should Alarm You
    • US & India hail new 10-year to deflect tensions
    • Police release picture of woman after man is pushed on to train tracks
    • RSF fighters reportedly arrested
    • German President Steinmeier is heading to Africa to build ties
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    WTX News
    • Live News
      • US News
      • EU News
      • UK News
      • Politics
      • COVID-19
      • Business
      • Tech zone
    • World news
      • Middle East News
        • UAE News
        • Palestine News
      • Europe
        • Italian News
        • Spanish News
      • Africa news
      • South America
      • North America
      • Asia
    • News Briefings
      • UK News Briefing
      • World News Briefing
      • Live Business News
    • Sports
      • Football News
      • Tennis
      • Women’s Football
    • MY World
      • Climate Change
      • In Review
      • Expose
      • Special Reports
        • Conscience Convoy
        • Rohingya Report
    • Entertainment
      • Insta Talk
      • Royal Family
      • Gaming News
      • TV Shows
      • Streaming
    • Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • Fashion
      • Cooking recipes
      • Luxury
      • Money Saving Expert
    • Travel
      • Culture
      • Holidays
    • Sign Up
      • Log In
    WTX News
    • Live News
    • World news
    • News Briefings
    • Sports
    • MY World
    • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Sign Up
    Home - Food and Drink - Food guru Tim Spector and health experts call on NHS to make vegan food the norm in hospitals
    Food and Drink Updated:October 16, 2024

    Food guru Tim Spector and health experts call on NHS to make vegan food the norm in hospitals

    By David Pike3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Telegram WhatsApp
    Food guru Tim Spector and health experts call on NHS to make vegan food the norm in hospitals

    Food guru Tim Spector and health experts call on NHS to make vegan food the norm in hospitals

    Food guru Tim Spector has joined healthcare chiefs and at least 1,000 health experts in calling on the NHS to make vegan food standard in UK hospitals.

    In an open letter to every NHS trust and healthcare leader in the UK, they ask healthcare organisations to implement “plant-based by default” menus.

    It follows a trial in New York in 2022, which they say led to a 36 per cent drop in food carbon emissions, cost savings and a more than 90 per cent satisfaction rate among patients.

    In 2018, Labour promised new laws to tackle bad hospital food. The Campaign for Better Hospital Food said at least half of hospitals did not comply with requirements that patients should expect fresh and nutritious meals.

    The letter, also signed by television nature expert Chris Packham, writer George Monbiot and Ecotricity founder Dale Vince, argues that offering patients mostly plant-based meals would save £74m a year while providing healthier food and helping cut food-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to half.

    It will be sent to the chief executive, lead dietitian, sustainability director and medical director of every NHS trust and integrated care board in the country.

    Meat, eggs and dairy would not be totally excluded.

    The letter, coordinated by the Plants First Healthcare group, says: “‘Plant-based by default’ menus offer and incentivise plant-based meals as the primary menu option without restricting choice – meat and other animal products remain on the menu.”

    Plants First Healthcare is a coalition of NHS professionals who say they are “increasingly concerned about the impacts of the food system on climate change and biodiversity loss”.

    A new Food Systems Policy Report by the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change calls for the normalisation of plant-based meals in healthcare settings.

    Organisers say 6 per cent of the NHS carbon footprint is from food but there is “overwhelming” evidence that shifting to a plant-predominant food system would significantly improve health, address health inequalities and help meet climate and nature targets.

    The letter says: “The Office of Health Economics recently estimated that if just England were to adopt a completely plant-based diet there would be ‘a total net benefit to the NHS of around £18.8bn per year’. No other intervention can deliver such significant health benefits alongside cost savings and environmental benefits.”

    Shireen Kassam, campaign co-lead and consultant haematologist at King’s College London says: “When staff and patients are made aware of the health and climate benefits of plant-based meals, they support incorporating more lower carbon, health-promoting foods.

    “According to the 2023 Lancet Countdown report, 70,000 deaths in the UK in 2020 were associated with insufficient intake of nutritious plant-based foods such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.”

    Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Trust, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, Hampshire Hospitals and Great Ormond Street Hospital have all signed the Cool Food Pledge promising to cut food emissions by 25 per cent by 2030.

    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hospital-food-tim-spector-health-vegan-plant-b2628101.html

    climate crisis The Independent UK featured
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Telegram WhatsApp
    Previous ArticleAssisted dying ‘dangerous’ says Archbishop of Canterbury as bill to be introduced today – UK politics live
    Next Article Majority of parents not deterred by fines for term-time family holidays – survey
    David Pike

    David Pike is an experienced news journalist with over 20 years experience as a UK News editor for WTX News and other news publications.

    Related Posts

    The Trump Admin’s Decision Not To Fund SNAP Should Alarm You
    USA News

    The Trump Admin’s Decision Not To Fund SNAP Should Alarm You

    Police release picture of woman after man is pushed on to train tracks
    UK News

    Police release picture of woman after man is pushed on to train tracks

    Man who stabbed pregnant girlfriend to death
    UK News

    Man who stabbed pregnant girlfriend to death

    “Huge moment in world history” as Andrew loses titles – and will be kicked out of royal home
    UK News

    “Huge moment in world history” as Andrew loses titles – and will be kicked out of royal home

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    Advertisment
    News Headlines
    US & India hail new 10-year to deflect tensions

    US & India hail new 10-year to deflect tensions

    RSF fighters reportedly arrested

    RSF fighters reportedly arrested

    Save 70% on VIP subscription
    News Briefings - the way to a better life
    News Briefings - the way to a better life
    Advert by Sponsors
    More from WTX News
    The latest gaming news - with game reviews and tips and tricks. updated 24 hours a day.
    The latest gaming news
    Hot off the press!
    • The Trump Admin’s Decision Not To Fund SNAP Should Alarm You October 31, 2025
    • US & India hail new 10-year to deflect tensions October 31, 2025
    • Police release picture of woman after man is pushed on to train tracks October 31, 2025
    • RSF fighters reportedly arrested October 31, 2025
    • German President Steinmeier is heading to Africa to build ties October 31, 2025
    WTX News latest breaking news sports and travel
    Latest News and analysis - Deciphering through the BS with exclusive News Briefings
    Facebook X (Twitter) TikTok Instagram

    News

    • World News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • EU News
    • Business
    • Opinions
    • News Briefing
    • Live News

    Company

    • About WTX News
    • Register
    • Advertising
    • Work with us
    • Contact
    • Community
    • GDPR Policy
    • Privacy

    Services

    • Fitness for free
    • Insta Talk
    • How to guides
    • Climate Change
    • In Review
    • Expose
    • NEWS SUMMARY
    • Money Saving Expert

    News delivered to your inbox

    Copyright WTX News 2025

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.