By a County Press reporter
Thursday, February 14, 2013
THE NHS on the Isle of Wight has issued assurances about its catering following the national horse meat scandal.
Jo Sheppard, Catering Services Manager at St. Mary’s Hospital, part of Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said: "Unlike many hospitals who contract out their catering or run a 'cook chill’ operation where meals are reheated on site, here at St. Mary’s we have kept our catering services 'in house.'
"We try, whenever possible, to keep services local.
"We try to obtain as much fresh local Island produce as possible and cook all our main meals for patients, visitors and staff in our kitchens at St. Mary’s.
"All of our meat is supplied fresh from an Island butcher and is sourced locally.
"All meals produced for patients, visitors and staff are prepared on site using fresh meat only."
The trust has encouraged Islanders concerned about health services are encouraged to join the NHS Trust as Members.
Membership is free and members can have a greater say in how services are run.