A mother has claimed she was forced to pay £30-a-day on takeaways after her sick daughters were served undercooked sausages and cottage pie 'mush' while being treated at an NHS hospital.
Crystal Fields spent six days in St Mary's Hospital in Paddington when twins Eve and Eden were hospitalised with RSV - a potentially dangerous respiratory virus.
But the 27-year-old was horrified when her toddlers, aged two, were allegedly presented with a measly plate of pale sausages and just ten chips during their stay.
Ms Fields, of Maida Vale, west London, claimed: 'I thought the sausages were raw and wondered why they thought that was appropriate for a two-year-old.
'The next day it was cottage pie, which was just mush. It was more like cottage soup.
'The last thing a parent needs to worry about when their child is sick is where or how they will get alternative food for their child to eat.
'And not everyone is financially capable to order takeout for their child everyday, especially if it's a long hospital stay.'
The 27-year-old was horrified when her toddlers, aged two, were allegedly presented with pale sausages and 10 chips during their stay
Ms Fields, of Maida Vale in London, claimed: 'The next day it was cottage pie, which was just mush'
Cystal Fields spent six days in St Mary's Hospital in Paddington when twins Eve and Eden (pictured) were hospitalised with RSV - a potentially dangerous respiratory virus
The mother, who works as a housing officer, went on to claim the meals served were so unappealing she refused to offer it to her daughter - instead ordering takeaways that set her back £180 over the course of their stay.
Ms Fields said: 'I had to order takeaways or go to McDonald's for wraps. Hospitals definitely need to try do better when it comes to children's meals.
'It's hard enough getting a sick child to eat, let alone get them to eat food that doesn't look or taste appealing.'
The mother went on to share an image of the hospital meals online, with the post racking up more than 407,000 views.
Speaking about the rest of the experience, she continued: 'Aside from the food, the nurses, doctors and staff were very kind, helpful and supportive.
'I can't fault them in any way because they took such good care of my children. A lot of comments said I was ungrateful for the NHS care we received but that's not the case.'
The mother, who works as a housing officer, went on to claim the meals served were so unappealing she refused to offer it to her daughter
Ms Fields said of the hospital staff: 'I can't fault them in any way because they took such good care of my children'
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Responding to her post, one person said: 'Did they cook those sausages with a heated argument?'
Someone else added: 'If a parent served that to their child at home, people would be up in arms and threatening to call social services.'
But a third said: 'The amount of people complaining about the NHS. Be grateful you don't have to pay for your healthcare.'
A fourth person added: 'Bring your own food, it is what is and it's free.'
And someone else said: 'Be grateful.'
St Mary's Hospital have been contacted for comment.