A 12-year-old girl who spent time in hospital battling an aggressive form of cancer has launched a petition calling for improvements to patient food. Audrina, from Derby, described the meals as tasteless and lacking in important nutrients.
Audrina was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2018 and is now cancer-free. She has also spent time in hospital with cyclic vomiting syndrome, during which she felt hospital meals had not improved.
She stated that if patients do not receive the necessary vitamins, minerals, and proteins, their recovery could be slowed down. Audrina is urging the UK government to take action to raise standards.
The Department for Health and Social Care said it welcomes ideas from campaigners like Audrina on how hospital food can be improved. Audrina's mother, Gemma, said the petition has over 500 signatures, with a goal of 100,000 for parliamentary consideration.
Audrina has also started an Instagram series called £1 meals, aiming to show hospitals that healthy and tasty food can be achieved without necessarily increasing spending. Labour MP Jonathan Davies has expressed support for her campaign and intends to ensure ministers hear her message.