Reacting to a Food Standards Agency report, released last week, that found around 400 hospitals, hospices, care homes, nurseries and school clubs were in need of ‘major’, ‘urgent’ or ‘necessary’ improvements.
The FSA found hospitals were, in some instances, preparing out-of-date food in mouldy kitchens, putting patients at ‘high risk’ of food poisoning. Others were found to have unclean worktops, food trolleys and sinks.
Phil Shelley, national chair of the HCA, said: “The HCA welcomes the Food Standards Agency report findings that 99% of NHS hospitals nationwide are achieving a food hygiene rating of 3 or more - meaning they are generally satisfactory or better. We are of course saddened to see eight hospitals scored below acceptable measures and urge those involved to address this expediently if they haven’t already done so.
“The HCA encourages independent assessment such as this FSA report to ensure that the highest possible standards can be met. We encourage our members to work together with inspectors to ensure that swift action is taken if required.
“As an association we strive to help our members produce best-in-class outcomes on limited resources, and the HCA works tirelessly with our members and the industry as a whole, to help raise the bar for nutrition, hydration and safety within hospital food.
“Putting the patient first is a core value of the HCA and our member’s patient-centred approach helps to keep standards as high as possible. If for whatever reason standards in individual Hospitals and Trusts are not met then it is imperative that this is quickly highlighted and rapidly amended.
“We are reaching out to any of our members mentioned in the report to offer them additional support to help them carry on the good work of hospitals caterers nationwide.”