When in hospital, why I am expected to eat the meal ordered by the previous patient?

Yep - and I have rotten food allergies (tongue swells etc). I found myself in the same situation as you when I was rushed to hospital a few years ago and by the time i could eat the following evening I couldnt have what was ordered by the previous patient. They couldnt fix me up something else as the caterers had closed the kitchen so I had to make do with a cup of tea. Was starving on top of being in serious pain and suffering all the stress of being in hospital etc. Nightmare.