Southampton General Hospital admits problems with new catering service (From This is Hampshire)

Southampton General Hospital admits problems with new catering service

4:13pm Monday 21st December 2009 in

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HOSPITAL bosses at Southampton General have admitted “teething problems” with a new catering service following complaints about meals turning up late or not at all.

The hospital is currently in the process of switching to a new system where pre-prepared meals are steam cooked in microwaves in ward kitchens.

This replaces the old system where meals were cooked in on-site kitchens, which still continue to operate restaurants for staff, visitors and patients with specific dietary requirements.

However, one relative of a patient staying several weeks on an orthopaedic ward said the new service was a mess.

“It was not brilliant before, but at least patients were getting fed,” said the woman who declined to be named. “Some days my relative’s lunch has been arriving at 4.30pm and then supper as late as 8.30pm.

On one occasion the meal did not arrive at all.”

One catering worker said staff responsible for distributing meals had insufficient training and did not always follow patients’ dietary requests.

A hospital spokesman said: “As with any major change of service, there have been teething problems and, unfortunately, in the early stages, some delays were experienced.

However, these issues are being resolved through close co-operation with our ward staff and the catering contractor. The trust’s specialised diet kitchen continues to cater for patients with specific dietary requirements and the new service includes ward hostesses who are fully trained in all aspects of food hygiene standards.

“The roll-out programme is progressing well with the Princess Anne Hospital now fully transferred and half of the Southampton General Hospital site using the new service. It is anticipated that the remaining areas will be completed on schedule during December.”

All catering staff were offered the chance to transfer to Medirest when the company won the £17m five-year contract to supply patient meals in Southampton earlier this year.

■ Have you tried the new meals service at the city’s hospitals?

We want to hear what you think about them. Call newsdesk on 023 8042 4522 or email newsdesk@dailyecho.co.uk.