Health secretary orders NHS review into hospital food listeria outbreak

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has ordered a ‘root and branch’ review of hospital food following the announcement of two further deaths which have been linked to an outbreak of listeria.

The number of deaths which were related to pre-packaged salads and sandwiches had risen from three to five.

Mr Hancock said “I have been incredibly concerned by this issue and strongly believe that we need a radical new approach to the food that is served in our NHS.

“I have instructed the NHS to conduct a root and branch review of hospital food.”

The supplier, which provided food to 43 NHS trusts, have withdrawn their products and production has been halted.

Public Health England’s deputy direction of the National Infection Service, Dr Nick Phin, said there had been no new cases in the last two weeks, adding “We would have expected most cases to have appeared by now.

“We’ve taken steps to make sure the product is no longer distributed, and therefore the public and the NHS patients are safe.

“PHE is continuing to analyse all recent and ongoing samples of listeria from hospital patients to understand whether their illness is linked to this outbreak.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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