William Harvey food controversy
by Samantha Williams
A pensioner has criticised the state of the food served to his
wife at Ashford’s William Harvey Hospital, claiming he wouldn’t
feed it to an animal.
Tom Wratten, 72, of Brabourne, complained to the hospital’s food
supplier Serco Group Plc, saying his wife Jean was served inedible
food during her three-day stay at the Harvey.
Mrs Wratten, 75, was admitted to the William Harvey Hospital to
have an ovarian cyst removed on Monday, December 17.
However for the two days she was in hospital she said the food
was not up to scratch.
Mr Wratten (pictured left, with Mrs Wratten) said:
“People in hospital need to be nourished, not punished.
“On the Monday night she was offered the choice of a sardine and
tomato sandwich or a ham sandwich.
"Jean isn’t keen on fish so opted for the ham, but it was really
cheap and nasty. Tesco Value ham would have been better.”
On the second night, Mrs Wratten, who was recovering from her
operation on Kennington Ward, had fish pie, but was again left
disappointed, claiming the fish was very hard.
"I wouldn’t give the food that was served to my wife to an animal..." – Tom Wratten
Mr Wratten added: “I can’t complain about the treatment my wife
received at the hospital, that was brilliant.
"However I wouldn’t give the food that was served to my wife to
an animal.”
Serco took over the catering at the William Harvey in July,
signing a seven-year contract.
Mr Wratten complained to the catering manager at the
hospital.
He said: “The only way to make an actual complaint is to go to
the canteen. I know two other women complained about the food while
I was there.
“The manager told me they had problems with timings on
Kennington Ward. He was really nice, it’s just a shame the food
wasn’t.”
Beverley Vaghelacorr, Serco’s contract director for East Kent,
said: “We are sorry that this patient did not find the food
satisfactory.
"This was the only complaint we have received but we are
disappointed we failed to meet expectations.
“We are in the process of introducing a new food service across
East Kent Hospitals NHS University Foundation Trust and the
reaction to this new service has been overwhelmingly positive.”
What do you think about the food at the William Harvey? Tell us
below.
10/01/13
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