WHEN I was in hospital my food was cooked up north, frozen and reconstituted in the hospital.

By the time it reached my ward it was luke-warm splodge.

There is a way the NHS could produce appetising meals at less cost than at present.

As an OAP aged 81 living alone I have ready meals delivered in bulk, produced by a farm food supplier.

They provide over 50 frozen meals and sweets for one person, which can be microwaved in a few minutes without the need to thaw out.

And they are delicious. They also provide mini meals if I am not feeling very hungry, which is useful after an operation.

All the NHS needs to do is have one central centre to prepare meals for the whole of the NHS. The hospital would only need freezer capacity instead of a kitchen and a microwave on each ward.

The nurse could offer a wide menu and prepare it at anytime day or night. It can be eaten straight from the container and with plastic cutlery – no washing up.

I doubt, however, any Government would have the courage and initiative to consider this scheme, as my letters on the subject to the minister concerned never got a reply.

PHILIP PEARCE-SMITH MBE, Holbury.