Newcastle's NHS staff are being offered free porridge and evening meals after a nurse broke down in tears at the till because she could not afford to pay for her breakfast.
The Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust revealed the measure last week on social media, but on the picket line outside the Freeman Hospital on Thursday nurse told reporters why this had come about. Research nurse Catherine Marsh revealed the shocking story which highlights how difficult the cost-of-living crisis has become for NHS staff.
The trust confirmed it is providing free porridge to workers at its Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospital sites in December and January. Standing on the picket line amid freezing conditions, Ms Marsh told the PA news agency: “We have a situation where the trust is giving us free porridge and meals in the evening. This was caused by a member of staff going to the restaurant, she got her porridge, she got to the till and was unable to pay.
“She was there in floods of tears. The restaurant staff phoned the chaplaincy and the chaplaincy have arranged free meals.”
Beside Ms Marsh on the picket line, as drivers tooted their horns in support of the strike, RCN regional officer Gail Hodgson said: "It’s shocking when you hear stories like that. It’s absolutely appalling in this day and age that somebody who is caring for patients and their safety can’t afford to feed themselves a bowl of porridge."
Staff can help themselves to food from fridges at sites across the Newcastle trust. The catering team stock them in late afternoon with a choice of sandwiches, salads and chilled meals.
These offers are part of a wider range of health, financial and wellbeing support packages and not in response to the strike, the trust said.
On December 5, Dame Jackie Daniel - chief executive at the Trust - tweeted: "We're providing free porridge for staff throughout December and January. We're hoping this will give a warm start to your shift and will be available in our main hospital food outlets and wider sites from this week."
Previously the hospital boss has spoken of the trust's commitment to help staff in trying times. In a June board meeting she said: "We are all seeing the impact on staff of the cost-of-living rises. We will continue to look at everything we can possibly do to support our staff."
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