Halal meals not up to scratch at Sandwell General Hospital

The trust which runs Sandwell General Hospital is considering changing its supplier of halal food in a bid to offer better choice.

Board members at the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust clashed over the issue at the latest meeting this week, with bosses accused of not doing enough to ensure halal offerings were up to standard.

Waseem Zaffar said he was unhappy about the lack of progress to improve what is on the menu at the trust's two sites, Sandwell General and City Hospital.

The trust currently receives its halal food from a supplier in Sheffield but is now considering changing provider.

Mr Zaffar said he had first raised the issue a year ago and that he was frustrated by what he viewed as a lack of progress.

He said: "I am very disappointed with the response this trust has taken.

"We all agreed we would do what we can to create an environment as whole as possible for all our patients.

"We provide halal food but the standard doesn't provide a homely environment we want to provide.

"I apologise for sounding irate but I don't see any movement from 12 months ago."

Trust bosses have said they are continuing to assess 'all options' for sourcing food from local suppliers.

They have been able to strike a deal for chilled food, milk and fish to be brought in locally, which has saved £40,000.

However, many suppliers in the region provide only ingredients for halal dishes rather than ready-made meals, which has caused a dilemma for health chiefs.

The trust said it is investigating the possibility of preparing meals in-house but that the move would result in added costs and changes to the kitchen.

Chief nurse Colin Ovington insisted the trust was 'making progress' and disputed claims patients were not happy about the quality of halal meals.

He said: "We have been chipping away at this issue for some considerable time.

"We are making progress. We are talking to neighbouring trusts on how they work their kitchens. It's something we are serious about bringing to the organisation.

"We want to have alternative kitchen to provide halal food. One option is to stick with an external supplier or go with a neighbouring trust."