Swill by mouth

A HOSPITAL patient was left with a nasty taste in her mouth after bungling staff served her chicken curry and summer fruits crumble — on the same plate.

The teenager was being treated on a ward for sickle-cell anaemia when she was given her dinner.

When she lifted the cover off her plate, she realised the dish contained both her main course and her dessert.

The 19-year-old student, who did not wish to be named, was so disgusted she refused to eat it and went without any food until the following morning.

She said: “I couldn’t believe it when I opened the lid.

“I was on medication and not really with it, so it took me a while to realise.

“I was really hungry so I tried to eat, but I just couldn’t stomach it and started to feel sick. My cousin complained and the nurse said it was a mistake and took it away.”

After the complaint an auxiliary nurse at St James’s University Hospital in Leeds offered her a yoghurt instead.

Relative Robert Bruce, 21, said: “It takes bad hospital food to a new level. I was so shocked I took a picture of it.”

St James Hospital Leeds ... scene of food mix-up Ross Parry

St James’s — known as Jimmy’s — is Europe’s largest teaching hospital and has more than 1,000 inpatient beds.

The most recent Care Quality Commission report in July 2014 said the hospital “requires improvement”.

According to the report, 87 per cent of patients said they would recommend the food to family and friends.

NHS statistics reveal the hospital spends £10.82 on food per patient each day.

Mandatory food standards introduced last year by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt mean hospitals which don’t provide good enough food can be fined.

Clare Linley, Deputy Chief Nurse at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I’d like to pass on my apologies to the patient and their family for this unfortunate incident.

“Clearly, this was a mistake and did not meet the high standards that our patients expect or deserve.”