[Margaret Pilkington]

Ah, I see......!
I do not agree with the patientline rip off (TV and phone lines)...these were services that were unopposed so they had a monopoly in the hospital premises......which effectively meant that patients had no choice. I do not see any harm in having some retail outlets......somewhere that you can buy a toothbrush if you are taken into hospital suddenly...and I don't mean at ripoff prices. Somehow, retailers think if you are incarcerated in a place that you can't easily get out of, they can (and do ) charge ridiculous prices.
The Christie has something similar.....they have a small cafe/Coffee shop.....the food is good, the sandwiches are fresh and they have a good choice. Used to take my Mum sometimes, when she was in there for a month having Radiotherapy..........sometimes she just 'fancied' something other than what was available on the ward. And what she fancied most of all was bacon and egg.......I know it isn't particularly healthy, but when you are having such treatment, foods lose their flavour, or they have a nasty metallic taste. So, yes....on the whole I do agree that fast food outlets may not be the way to go......but even MacDonalds are introducing foods that are not the usual 'Junk'......and sometimes just a little of what you fancy does you good....especially when you are ill.