Water UK

Provision of drinking water in hospitals in Scotland

31/08/07

View on Scottish Parliament website

John Lamont: To ask the Scottish Executive whether its audit processes ensure the provision of fresh chilled drinking water in hospitals. (S3W-3426)

Shona Robison: The provision of fresh chilled drinking water in hospitals is specifically covered in the NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) Clinical Standards for Food, Fluid and Nutrition. Standard 3 states that, where clinically appropriate, patients should have access to fresh drinking water at all times. Standard 4.8 states that boards should ensure there is appropriate food and fluid available outwith main mealtimes and that there is on-going monitoring and review of the food and fluid provided for patients. These standards were published in 2003 and will be reviewed by NHS QIS in 2008.

Audit Scotland is the formal auditor for the public sector. Their most recent review of hospital catering was in November 2006. That review did not specifically mention the provision of fresh chilled drinking water.