Hospital ‘slop’ improves

A war of words broke out between politicians over the quality of food served at southern hospitals, but two years later the complaints have all but dried up.

On April 1, 2016, behind closed doors at Dunedin Hospital, thenHealth Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman ate pasta bolognese, a sandwich, and pea and ham soup.

He told media afterwards that there was nothing wrong with the ‘‘standard Kiwi fare’’ being served to patients.

Hundreds of people attended a protest outside Dunedin Hospital later that month, chanting ‘‘sack Compass’’ – the company responsible for providing patient meals.

Figures released to The Press under the Official Information Act reveal 86 suggestions or complaints about food were received by Southland and Otago hospitals in 2016, including 42 by Dunedin Hospital and 42 by Southland Hospital.

The complaints began after new meals were introduced to Southland Hospital in January 2016, and Wakari and Dunedin hospitals the following month as the cashstrapped Southern District Health Board (SDHB) tried to cut costs.

Coleman was challenged by Labour health spokeswoman Annette King to eat the ‘‘slop’’. He later asked King in Parliament to ‘‘man up’’ and try the food herself.

Coleman, now the Opposition health spokesman, said: ‘‘One can speculate on the reasons for the complaints but it is best to speak to the DHB and supplier directly.’’

The number of complaints dropped to 17 in 2017 – 14 to Southland Hospital, two to Dunedin and one to Wakari.

DHB chief executive Chris Fleming said he was pleased there was rising customer satisfaction with the meals Compass provided.