No salads, no sandwiches: Ward menus cut in Shropshire hospitals debts crisis
Salads and sandwiches are not being offered to patients at Shropshire's hospitals – after NHS bosses said they could no longer afford to pay suppliers.
The extraordinary financial situation faced by Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust has been laid bare in a memo sent to staff.
It reveals debts have become so bad that firms supplying Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Telford's Princess Royal Hospital have been told they will not be paid until April.
The staff memo, by communications officer David Burrows, says: "Unfortunately, our current sandwich supplier has not accepted these terms. As a result, we will be unable to provide sandwiches and salads for patients or in our commercial outlets."
Mr Burrows apologised for "any inconvenience caused" and said hot meals would remain available.
The move comes as the trust effectively faces a cash flow problem as it attempts to reduce debts within this financial year. It has been told to keep the deficit down to £5.9 million by the end of March, but warnings have been made that actual debt is likely to stretch as high as £10 million.
Mr Burrows adds: "Achieving the agreed deficit is of major significance to us, and will enable us to retain the support from our regulators for our future plans and aspirations. In order to help us achieve our target, the trust has asked external suppliers to temporarily alter the timescale for payments until the next financial year in recognition of the additional pressures we are facing."
The withdrawal of sandwiches and salads will affect both patients and visitor cafes within both hospitals.
The memo says: "The catering department will ensure there are sufficient hot meals available for patients on wards as an alternative to sandwich choices.
"Options will include jacket potatoes with a choice of fillings.
The catering department will also be increasing the number of snack items for patients who miss meal times.
"This will include increased availability of toast as well as cheese and biscuits, yoghurts and fruit."
Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust chief executive Simon Wright apologised to patients about the situation.
He said he was seeking a new supplier who can "better manage slightly longer payment terms".
Mr Wright said: "In common with NHS trusts across the country, we have a number of financial challenges and, as such, removing waste and duplication is crucial to ensure that we remain sustainable.
"We have taken a number of steps throughout the year to bring down our spending, including reducing our reliance on agency staff. However, further action is needed and we have had to make some difficult decisions about how these can be achieved while ensuring patient care is unaffected. The trust has asked some external suppliers to temporarily alter the timescale for payments until the next financial year in recognition of the additional pressures we are facing.
"Unfortunately our current sandwich supplier has not accepted these terms. We are now exploring new suppliers who can better manage slightly longer payment terms.
"The temporary issue with sandwich supplies has been addressed by providing alternatives and at no time have any patients not had access to meals or choice.
"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause in the short-term."
The trust had agreed a £5.9 million deficit with health bosses for 2016/17. But the latest figures show the trust could be closer to £10 million in the red by April.
The latest deficit, although higher than predicted, would still be lower than the £14.649 million recorded by the trust the previous year. In October it was revealed the hospital didn't have enough money to put measures in place to cover the busy winter period. The trust said it needed at least £1 million and 92 extra beds.
To: All staff at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
As you will be aware, the trust has been presented with an end-of-year deficit target of £5.9 million, but forecasts have indicated that we are likely to exceed that.
Achieving the agreed deficit is of major significance to us, and will enable us to retain the support from our regulators for our future plans and aspirations.
In order to help us achieve our target, the trust has asked external suppliers to temporarily alter the timescale for payments until the next financial year in recognition of the additional pressures we are facing.
Unfortunately our current sandwich supplier has not accepted these terms.
As a result, from Monday (January 16) we will be unable to provide sandwiches and salads for patients or in our commercial outlets.
During this time, a wide range of alternatives will be available. At both RSH and PRH, the catering department will ensure there are sufficient hot meals available for patients on Wards as an alternative to sandwich choices. Options will include jacket potatoes with a choice of fillings.
The catering department will also be increasing the number of snack items for patients who miss meal times. This will include increased availability of toast as well as cheese and biscuits, yoghurts and fruit.
Snack packs containing crisps, fruit, cheese biscuits and a drink will be available for A&E, clinics and out-of-hours.
Commercial outlets will be open as normal and hot meals will remain available. The new flatbread station in the Apley Restaurant will also be open as usual.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
David Burrows,
On behalf of communications
