“It is extremely disappointing that any Trust has asked food suppliers to break contract and meet extended payment terms,” says HCA chair Phil Shelley.
“All Trusts are under financial pressure but if an agreement to extend payment terms cannot be agreed, then payment terms should be honoured, or a suitable nutritional substitute put in place before supply is cut.”
He was particularly concerned about comments attributed in the Telegraph story to Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust chief executive Simon Wright that patient health was not at risk as a result.
“We can’t agree with Simon Wright that ‘patient care is unaffected’, because removing sandwiches and salads, or indeed any part of a dietitian-approved balanced menu for a patient, without adding in relevant substitutions absolutely does affect patient care.
“Good patient nutrition and hydration is paramount to recovery. This is especially true with increasing levels of patients entering hospital with, or at high risk from malnutrition.
“Sandwiches are an excellent means to deliver nutritious food to patients who have missed meal times, require easy to eat meals or entered a ward after hours.
“Food suppliers and manufacturers should not be at the bottom of the list of importance when it comes to paying bills. We would hope this is an unusual situation that will quickly be rectified or future action such as the protection of food procurement may be required.”
BDA chief executive Andy Burman added: “Patient safety and wellbeing should always be paramount, and anything that reduces patient access to necessary nutrition and hydration is very concerning.
“Malnutrition is already a serious challenge amongst patients admitted to hospital and more broadly in care homes and the community, without further challenges such as this making it harder for patients to get the nutrition they need. It is estimated that one third (32%) of people aged 65 years or over are at risk of malnutrition on admission to hospital.
“While I am sure the NHS trust in question will be doing everything possible to ensure that patients and visitors have access to appropriate nutrition and hydration, this is another illustration of the extreme pressures that hospitals and the NHS in general is under.
“We have made clear in the past that the government needs to take urgent steps to place the NHS on a sustainable long term footing.”
The Telegraph reported that Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital trust had told patients that they can no longer have sandwiches or salads because their sandwich supplier would not accept payments being deferred until April.
In-patients have been told they will still be able to have hot meals, which are provided by a different supplier, while “snack packs” containing crisps, fruit, cheese biscuits and a drink will be available for Accident & Emergency patients.
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust runs the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in Shrewsbury and is the main provider of district general hospital services for nearly half a million people in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and mid Wales.