Statistics released August 9 show that more than 450 hospital patients have died of malnutrition in Scotland over the past five years, The Express reported. Patient advocates claimed that these deaths occur when elderly patients who need assistance to eat are not getting the proper care.

Liberal Democrat Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) Ross Finnie publicized the information and called on the Scottish government to take immediate action, the Aberdeen Press and Journal reported.

"It is alarming that anyone in Scotland is dying of malnutrition in this day and age," Finnie said. "Most victims are elderly people, many of whom have conditions that make eating difficult or need help with their meals. These figures raise serious concern that in some hospitals, malnutrition is not being properly diagnosed. Ministers must investigate this issue as a matter of urgency."

Warnings about lack of proper nutritional care in hospitals have been sounded as early as 2003, when watchdog group Audit Scotland stated that malnutrition is a "major concern" in Scottish hospitals administered by the National Health Service, according to The Express.

Despite the warnings, patients have continued to die of hunger each year. In 2009, 15 hospital patients died of malnutrition, while lack of food contributed to 67 more deaths. These numbers showed very little improvement from 2005, when there were 14 deaths and 81 contributory cases, The Express reported.

Calls for action crossed political lines. "All parties need to work together and find positive solutions to a situation that has no place in 21st century Scotland," said Conservative MSP Nanette Milne, according to PA News.

Labor MSP Jackie Baillie agreed. "It is deeply disappointing that these figures have not come down over the past five years," Baillie said, "and I would add my own voice to calls for ministers to launch an urgent investigation to see what can be done."