Many hospital kitchens 'unhygenic'
Updated on 12 August 2007
The shocking state of England's hospital kitchens and canteens has been branded as "simply unacceptable".
Nearly half of all hospital food preparation areas are failing to meet basic standards of cleanliness and hygiene it has been revealed.
Vermin, cockroaches and mouse droppings, medical waste on food handling equipment and poor personal hygiene among catering staff were all problems, according to findings obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
Dozens of hospitals failed to store food at the correct temperature and 18 had out-of-date food, putting patients' health at risk.
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb MP said: "These findings paint a shocking picture of hospital food hygiene in this country. It is simply unacceptable that such terrible practices are taking place in an environment where hygiene and safety should be paramount. Hygiene standards should be made public, with clear and accessible ratings for each institution."
The FOI request was submitted to a quarter of all English local authorities asking for their health inspection reports into the food preparation areas of hospitals within their jurisdiction.
In six hospitals, inspections highlighted five or more areas of concern. These institutions were: Farnham Road Hospital in Guildford; Churchill Hospital in Oxford; Blackpool Victoria Hospital in Blackpool; City Hospital in Derby; Ipswich Hospital in Ipswich and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in Norwich.
Inspectors visiting the Mayday University Hospital in Croydon found a syringe and needle on a supper tray and pre-cooked chicken stored next to raw meat. At the Mary Hewetson Cottage Hospital in Keswick, prawns were stored alongside ice cream.
A Food Standards Agency spokesman said: "We would be keen to see any information or report that shows significant hygiene problems and will take the matter up with the local authorities. Where there are problems we will expect the local authority to take appropriate and immediate action."
And a Department of Health spokesperson said: "Failure to meet hygiene standards is unacceptable and where there are problems, we expect the local authorities responsible for inspecting and enforcing food hygiene regulations to take action."
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