Post the outbreak of listeria outbreak in April 2012, in where 4 patients were infected resulting in one death, Save The Mid gained information on what meals are served to A&E patients waiting at the Antrim A&E.
Information included a range of meals depending upon the length of time waiting at Antrim Area hospital:
- Majors (A&E) – Catering Administration Office Alert – In the event of Majors having 10+ patients waiting, to be aware potentially some of these patients have been waiting over 24 hours, to check with nursing staff.
- Patients waiting less than 6 hours – tea, coffee and sandwiches. Lap Trays to be used.
- Patients waiting 6 hours+ - to be offered soup, sandwiches, tea/coffee. Lap Trays to be used
Between Jan- April 2012 1,130 patients have waited 12 hours of more at Antrim A&E with a further 7,436 waiting between 4-12 hours(ref:DHSSPS). During the public board room meeting on the 29th of April 2012 it was stated by CEO Sean Donaghy and Dr PeterFlanagan that sandwiches will not be served to patients at all in the future following their interim ban during the investigation.
The document released to Save The Mid was reviewed in November 2011 and Save The Mid intend to engage the Northern trust to ensure that the document is revised and that all patients who enter the A&E are made aware of their right for nutrition to be displayed in the A&E waiting room at Antrim Hospital.
For full FOI see http://savethemid.weebly.com/uploads/7/4/7/7/7477841/ae_meals.pdf