Yeovil Hospital BBC News Feature

Yeovil Hospital and apetito featured on BBC West News on 27th March

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Feature Transcription

One of the largest employers in Trowbridge is about to expand to Toronto. apetito, which makes meals for hospitals has developed a way of testing their food for bugs before it's frozen. Here's our health Correspondent, Matthew Hill.

The early shift today in Trowbridge and fresh produce is about to be frozen. Before meals are to be sent across the country, some are tested to make sure they don't contain any bacteria that might affect patients.

"This is part of our salmonella testing. Because our customers are generally either elderly people or they are people in hospital they are obviously vulnerable, so food safety is critical." Anita Drago

Yeovil is one of over 120 hospitals around the UK that buy the meals, since the hospital signed their contract 5 years ago , they say they've wasted less food, becase they simply cook what they need. The real proof of the pudding, is what patients say.

"One has to say that for a hospital, it's good."
"Absolutely first class, best I've ever tasted."

The Trowbridge company is now setting up in Toronto, this type of foodservice operation simply doesn't exist in Canada, which has a health service modelled on the NHS. So that's why the company today are filming how Yeovil Hosptial caterers prepare their food for patients, the video will be sent to hospitals throughout Canada.

"We've seen what hospitals like this one have acheived in terms of reduced wasteage and patient satisfaction, and we think that can work in Canada." Nigel Richards

It's not just the way food is cooked that's important, but how it's served. Most patients will be given a blue tray, but for a smaller number, who are either malnourished or have difficulty feeding, they'll have a red tray, and that makes sure that staff and nurses give them extra attention when it comes to meal times.

The doctor in charge of public health, says now that meals are much better, hospitals should ban junk food from vending machines and shops,

Dr Gabriel Scally "Hospitals that have changed have done very well, they've actually increased their taking by selling healthy food in vending machines and I'd really like to see hospitals strongly considering changing their whole approach."

Diet is an essential part of recovery and the West could be on the verge of exporting this experience across the Atlantic

Matthew Hill
BBC Points West
Yeovil