13 October, 2016

MEDIA RELEASE

Embargoed till 5am October 14th

E tū urges DHB’s to abandon Compass national food contract

E tū is urging DHBs to abandon the Compass national food contract and bring hospital food back in-house.

E tū’s Industry Coordinator, Public and Commercial, Jill Ovens says the contract, first introduced in 2014, has failed to deliver the big savings promised.

“The savings were originally mooted at up to $190-million over 15 years.

“Now, it’s just a few hundred thousand a year for the DHBs involved, which is pathetic,” she says.

Jill says the move to the national food model had cost jobs, while hospital food standards were terrible.

“Patients have complained about the unpalatable, unhealthy meals, while Meals on Wheels clients are cancelling the service because the food is so bad.

“Patients and our elderly deserve nutritious, decent food.

“It’s time to dump this failed model, and bring the job of preparing hospital meals and Meals on Wheels back where it belongs - in hospital kitchens where local ingredients are used and local people are doing the work.”

Jill says the local body elections have seen new people elected to District Health Boards, and they should push for the six participating DHBs to pull out.

ENDS

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