The number of patients becoming malnourished in hospital has doubled in just three years.
Official figures show that a record 13,500 patients fell victim to some form of nutritional deficiency last year.
Most are frail and elderly pensioners who are simply ‘left to starve’ because they are too weak to feed themselves.
Concern is mounting among campaigners and relatives that nurses are now too busy to carry out basic duties of care, such as helping the most vulnerable to eat and drink.
Meal trays are being left on tables out of reach of bedridden patients and then taken away, completely untouched.
Details of the shocking figures come days after the Daily Mail launched a campaign with the Patients Association to end the appalling neglect of the elderly on NHS wards.
The charity wants to raise £100,000 to employ two extra staff to man its helpline which is inundated with calls from patients and relatives worried about hospital care.
Last week the Mail donated £50,000 to the appeal and we are asking our generous readers to match that sum.
Since the launch of our campaign, celebrities, ministers, charities and leading doctors have all lent their backing, demanding that the most vulnerable in our society are treated with the dignity they deserve.
Our website has received many messages of support from readers, often telling harrowing stories about the neglect of loved ones.
Official figures from the NHS Information Centre show that last year 214,888 patients were discharged with some form of malnutrition.
A total of 201,468 were admitted to hospital in a similar state, meaning that 13,420 became malnourished while under NHS care. That compares with 7,062 in 2006/7.
Campaigners, nursing leaders and relatives say there are not enough staff on wards at mealtimes to help the most vulnerable.
The figures show that tens of thousands of elderly patients are leaving hospital and returning to their homes or care centres desperately underweight.
Their immune systems will be far weaker meaning they are less able to cope with potentially-fatal illnesses such as flu and pneumonia. Lacking calcium and vitamin D, they will be prone to osteoporosis and associated hip fractures and other breaks.
Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association, which is calling for matrons to be reinstated on wards to oversee care of the elderly, said: ‘Nobody is helping the most vulnerable.
‘Nurses are now too busy to look after patients’ essential needs and it isn’t a priority. In many cases patients depend on their relatives – which puts them under enormous pressure.
‘We have also had very distressing calls from patients who say they had to help others on the ward after hearing them cry out for water.’
The Patients Association is also campaigning for the establishment of an independent complaints system to help tackle neglect in hospitals.
Dr Peter Carter, general secretary and chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing said: ‘These figures are a cause for serious concern as good nutrition is one of the fundamental elements to improving the health and well being of patients.
‘Nurses want to ensure they can serve the nutritional needs of patients, however with 27,000 posts earmarked to be cut in the NHS, steps need to be taken now to provide safe staffing levels and the right level of skill to ensure nutrition is a priority in hospitals.’
Labour health spokesman John Healey said: ‘It is a scandal in this day and age that anyone should go short of food in hospital – one of the basics of social care that any hospital should be providing.’
A Department of Health spokesman said: ‘It is completely unacceptable that any hospital is not taking tough measures to prevent malnutrition.
‘There are a number of systems in place, such as the use of identifiable trays, to ensure patients who require assistance are recognised and given the help they need.’
Sophie Borland
Daily Mail UK