It just seems a bit strange. You'd have to pay for it if you were at home. The cost of feeding hospital patients must be astronomical, and the food (in my quite extensive experience) is pretty crappy. Cheap, badly cooked, and in many cases unsuitable for specific dietry requirements.
Wouldn't most people be happy to pay for their meals, and in return expect to be served appealing, healthy food?
Obviously patients in for extended periods or those on benefits should be offered a free/heavily subsidised option.
It would require some investment to completely change the system - but surely it would save millions in the long-run?
What do you think?