BOSSES at Staffordshire’s biggest hospital admit food served to patients is still sub-standard two months after they handed its catering contract to an international company.

They say problems remain at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire despite a guarantee from the firm, Sodexo, that they would be solved within a week.

Now officials have spoken of more “cause for concern” by the departure of Sodexo’s site director.

The Trust revealed Mike Newman had decided before the contract started to quit the post as “a career move”.

Hospital corporate services director Andrew Underwood said: “He leaves at the end of this month and his replacement will not start for another two months.

“This hiatus gives us some concern and we are taking it up with the company to ensure senior management support is continued in the interim. There is always a problem when a senior manager moves on.”

He told fellow hospital directors: “Sodexo operations director David Platt promised last month to sort it out by the end of that week but it didn’t happen.

“The number of complaints has reduced but there are still issues unresolved. There is inconsistency of deliveries much of the time in most areas of the hospital.

“On some occasions we do not reach the standards we need to.

“It is very disappointing when a foreseeable issue is not dealt with.”

Instead of using local suppliers, Sodexo cooks the food at its South Wales plant and brings it by truck to the hospital where it is divided into meals and warmed up.

Complaints made within days of the contract starting included kitchens being too small, meals getting to wards so late patients had to have hot toast instead, custard being so thick it had to be served in slices and a ham sandwich being offered to a Muslim.

Hospital chief executive Julia Bridgewater who has toured wards to check standards said: “Last week the ladies on one ward badly affected told me things were now significantly better.”

Health union Unison branch secretary Pat Powell agreed the food was “slightly better” and added: “Now Mike Newman is leaving, the staff are looking forward to a fresh start with his replacement.”

But Paul Gregory from Newcastle over-50s group said: “We are still getting complaints about Sodexo and one young person said he didn’t like the meal he was served. That is surprising as people of that age will normally eat any rubbish.”

A Sodexo spokesman said: “There will be senior management support in place until Mike’s replacement starts.

“No-one else has left the contract. There have been big improvements. While there are minor areas where further improvements can be made, we are working on them with the trust.”

What do you think about the hospital’s food?