Written question WQ100805
- Asked by
- Janet Finch-SaundersConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 11 days
Question
How is the Cabinet Minister working with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to ensure that patients with diabetes and similar medical conditions have access to food and drink while waiting for their consultation?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care (Mabon ap Gwynfor)
New standards were issued on 6 October 2026 via a Welsh Health Circular (All Wales Nutrition and Catering Principles and Standards for Food and Fluid Provision for Patients in Hospital (2026) (WHC/2026/030).
Welsh Government recognises the importance of ensuring that people with diabetes, and other conditions with specific nutritional needs, have appropriate access to food and drink when receiving hospital care. The new standards strengthen national expectations in this area, including a specific requirement for hospitals to provide easy access to appropriate food and drink. The standards also require NHS organisations to consider food and fluid provision outside traditional ward settings.
We expect health boards, including Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, to carry out a self-assessment annually to meet the requirements as part of their local arrangements and implementation of the new standards.