HOSPITAL visitors have aired their opinions after vending machines selling ‘healthy’ hot food were installed in hospitals.

The machines, which offer food including paninis, chicken nuggets, potato wedges and other main meal options, have been introduced in Burnley General Teaching Hospital and Accrington Victoria Hospital.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) said 79 per cent of the meals, which were supplied by a company Bon Appetit, were below 400 calories per portion with less than five grams of saturated fat for every 100g of the meal.

All main meals cost less than £3 each with the machines in particular designed to cater for night-shift staff at the hospitals who do not have access to the canteen.

Lancashire Telegraph readers took to Facebook to express their views with many critical of the idea and questioning the cost of the products and how healthy they really are?

‘Stocky Blue’ said: “It’s a recipe for even more obesity and fat folk waddling around the NHS.”

Marcus Riley, agreed: “How is that healthy?

“Macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, curry, what looks to be like a microwave sausage and egg muffin?

“These are just the ready meals they sell at Asda but for three times the price. Not healthy at all.”

Peter Magill said: “How long before these ready meals replace the well-trained staff at Burnley General Hospital during the day?”

Carole Taylor added: “No doubt sitting alongside machines selling sugary pop, crisps and chocolate - should be banned from hospitals.”

The vending machines will be available 24 hours, seven days a week, with the canteen still open as normal between 8am and 7pm for Burnley and 11.45pm to 1.30pm for Accrington.

They are refrigerated and situated near a microwave and people can purchase the items as in a normal vending machine.

The purchaser then needs to scan the product barcode, put it into the microwave and it heats it for the required amount of time.

Tim Radcliff, catering manager at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said:“We are proud to provide tasty, nutritious meals in our restaurants.

“The installation of the vending machine service is the latest development in the programme of work to promote healthy eating and has been well received by patients, staff and visitors. More than 70 per cent of the meals offered in the vending machines are under 400 calories and are the same size and standard as shop-bought meals.

“The catering team have recently won a Soil Association award for the amazing work it has done to ensure patients, staff and visitors have a choice of healthy, locally sourced fresh produce that it uses in its meals for patients and in its restaurants.”