NHS campaigners have called for food banks to be located in King George Hospital to help the malnourished in the borough and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Chief executive of Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) Matthew Hopkins confirmed last week it would be “looking closely at the food bank service” introduced by Tameside Hospital, in Manchester.

That hospital announced it would become the first in the country to have a dedicated food bank in October.

Emergency boxes of food donations will be distributed discreetly to vulnerable patients when they are discharged.

Andy Walker, of the Save King George Hospital campaign, urged the BHRUT to look at local charities that could contribute food and work with hospitals to identify vulnerable patients.

Mr Walker said: “These food banks are needed in our hospitals for the same reason as they are needed in other parts of the country.

“Benefits are being cut so much and we need to provide this extra support to the sickest and poorest.

“The other issue is that if people are hungry they are more likely to contract and then spread infectious diseases. Tuberculosis is becoming a big problem in Redbridge.

“It is a great idea although it is far better to have a decent welfare state, like 30 years ago, so food banks aren’t needed.

“If the poor and the malnourished come in to the hospital they can be easily identified and given food.

Cllr Mark Santos cabinet member for health and social care, said he has “put forward the idea” to BHRUT.

He said: “I don’t know if there is a need for food banks right now in King George Hospital. But if there is then I would suggest hospital wards would gain referral rights.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if that is what is happening right now.

“If there are current agencies that are not referring vulnerable patients to food banks then there is a need to link with agencies that do.”

The number of malnourished patients in English and Welsh hospitals has risen from 5,469 to 6,520 in the past year, according to the Health and Social Care Information Centre.

BHRUT has been approached for comment.