Having read recently that hospital patients, especially the elderly, are malnourished, I was amazed to learn that they will soon be offered sandwiches at lunchtime instead of the usual hot meal, in order to economise.

These sandwiches will, doubtless, be made with factory bread containing ingredients, including hard fats, which helped to put some people into hospital in the first place.

However since the hot meals' provided were not necessarily synonymous with good health, often consisting of broiler house chicken, a solution would be to serve patients with a good vegetable soup together with some real bread.

This soup, for which a variety of vegetables can be used, is cheap, easily made and extremely nutritious.

Alternatively, a baked potato with a filling such as cheese, baked beans and salad, would be equally acceptable.

Nearly all vegetables contain the minerals and fibre necessary for the maintenance of good health.

MRS M J BALLARD Sunnymede Avenue Carshalton