Trust chairman sparks food review after criticising ham sandwich

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A West Midlands hospital has launched a review of its chilled food after the trust chairman told a public meeting the hospital’s ham sandwich “was the worst he had ever tasted”.

Walsall Healthcare Trust chairman Ben Reid was responding to patient comments at the trust’s AGM in July when he revealed his displeasure at the ham sandwich he received while a patient.

Following his comments the hospital’s catering department has now replaced the ham with a better quality gammon.

The Black Country trust told HSJ it was reviewing its contract for the supply of chilled food, although the change to gammon sandwiches was implemented on 23 July.

Following comments from patient satisfaction surveys some of the food on offer has also been provided to members of the trust board for them to try.

The trust’s leadership has also changed visiting times due to some patients requesting extra food for their friends and family.

A spokesman for the trust said: “Mr Reid was responding to a complaint about the quality of food at the trust AGM on 18 July.

“He had recently had an experience as a patient and he said it was the worst ham sandwich he had ever tasted.”

Chief operating officer Jayne Tunstall, added: “We are currently reviewing the contract for the supply of our sandwiches and chilled food.

“A number of patient satisfaction feedback surveys are carried out on a monthly basis to ascertain what our patients think about the quality of food and service provided by the trust.

“We regularly work with the supplier to ensure a high standard of quality is maintained. Based on recent feedback specifically around our ham sandwiches, we changed to gammon ham, which is the best quality ham for our patients.”