A mother from west London has revealed she was forced to spend £30 a day on takeaways after claiming the meals provided for her sick toddler daughters at a major NHS hospital were inedible.
'Raw' Sausages and 'Cottage Soup' on the Ward
Crystal Fields, 27, spent six days at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington with her two-year-old twins, Eve and Eden, who were being treated for RSV, a serious respiratory virus. The housing officer from Maida Vale said she was horrified by the standard of food offered to her young children during their stay.
She alleged that one meal consisted of pale sausages that appeared undercooked alongside just ten chips. "I thought the sausages were raw and wondered why they thought that was appropriate for a two-year-old," Ms Fields stated. The following day, she claimed they were given a cottage pie that resembled "mush" or "cottage soup".
The Financial and Emotional Strain on Families
Fearing the meals were unappealing and potentially unsafe, Ms Fields refused to give the hospital food to her daughters. Instead, she resorted to ordering takeaways or buying food from McDonald's, accumulating a total cost of £180 over the six-day admission.
"The last thing a parent needs to worry about when their child is sick is where or how they will get alternative food for their child to eat," she explained. She emphasised that not every family has the financial means to cover such unexpected costs, especially during a prolonged hospital stay.
Ms Fields shared an image of the meals online, where the post garnered over 407,000 views and sparked a heated debate. While criticising the food, she was full of praise for the clinical staff, saying: "The nurses, doctors and staff were very kind, helpful and supportive. I can't fault them in any way."
Public Reaction and Hospital Response
The online response was divided. Some users expressed shock, with one commenting, "If a parent served that to their child at home, people would be up in arms." Others defended the NHS, suggesting parents should be grateful for free healthcare or bring their own food.
Ms Fields responded to accusations of ingratitude, clarifying her critique was solely about the catering. St Mary's Hospital has been contacted for comment on the allegations regarding the quality of its children's meals.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about hospital nutrition, particularly for vulnerable young patients, and the hidden financial burdens placed on families during medical crises.
