Galway hospital restores full hot meal service as kitchen maintenance works prompt concerns from families

Patient hot meals resumed being served at University Hospital Galway after a small period of kitchen closure for maintenance raised concerns. The HSE have confirmed that hot meals are back up and running at UHG after Galway City Councillor Alan Cheevers received notice some patients had been having cold lunches. The families of patients in UHG contacted Cllr Cheevers saying that soup and sandwiches had been given for weekend lunches rather than the hot meal 'they should be provided with while in hospital,' Cllr Cheevers said. 'This is simply not acceptable. Patients in hospital, particularly older and more vulnerable people, need proper nourishment to aid their recovery and maintain their health. They should not be left without a hot meal.' However, the HSE confirmed to the Irish Independent the change in meal provision was only a result of a short-term closure for maintenance and upgraded works necessary for the hospital kitchen. 'During the period of closure, hot meals were freshly prepared in the Merlin Park hospital kitchen each day and transported in boxes which ensured that the food was maintained at required temperatures and served to patients in UHG. At lunchtime patients were offered soup, sandwiches, dessert, tea / coffee,' an HSE spokesperson said. Full meal service, including three hot lunch options, resumed on Wednesday, August 5. 'The HSE would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the temporary disruption to catering operations at UHG.' Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme.