This article is from page 8 of the 2006-03-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
THE Health Service Executive, Mid West Area has denied that anyone has suffered food poisoning as a result of eating meals from the catering department of an Ennis hospital.
The statement was in response to shocking revelations in last week’s edition of The Clare People about standards of catering at St. Joseph’s Geriatric Hospital.
An independent inspection of the hospital’s catering department uncovered a major food poisoning risk, caused by a service, which “falls short of the level of quality control desired”.
The report highlighted poor work practices including food being prepared far in advance, the primary cause of food poisoning. The HSE claims that the catering department is compliant with requirements.
“Over the last five years, over €560,000 has been expended on the upgrading of the main kitchen and ward kitchenettes at St. Joseph’s Hospital. This has included electrical upgrade works, a cooling system, general refurbishment and purchase of equipment”
The HSE spokesperson said that a review of policies, processes, and procedures in the catering department was conducted recently, in order to streamline the catering operation and create further efficiencies.
“This review was carried out with a view to preparing for the final phase of rationalisation of HSE catering services in Clare, which will involve the transfer of catering from Ennis General Hospital.”