The Ministry of Health appears to be allowing the same company that is providing the ‘horrific' food at Southern DHB hospitals to now take up a contract in Taranaki, says New Zealand First.

'New Zealand First has learnt that the Compass Group is on the verge of taking over the food service contract at Taranaki DHB, but are waiting until the issues with Southern DHB have died down before announcing the arrangement,” says Health Spokesperson Barbara Stewart.

'Southlanders are in the street protesting against the hospital food served by Compass and yet instead of tearing up that Compass contract, it appears the Ministry of Health has given Compass the OK to take up another with Taranaki DHB.

'The impact of Compass receiving the contract would go further than solely food quality in Taranaki's public hospitals, with staff layoffs from the hospital kitchens rumoured to be on the agenda. This would be another blow to a New Zealand region struggling economically.

'New Zealand First believes that DHBs should be using local food service providers, rather than contracting services to Compass - a multinational company, providing food of compromised quality,” says Mrs Stewart

SOURCE: Office of Barbara Stewart