CAMPAIGNERS fear that plans to put Warrington Hospital’s catering service out to tender could leave patients with poor quality meals.

People have already insisted that the cuts began with the afternoon closure of the canteen at Halton Hospital.

One elderly man said: “I rely on this for a meal when I visit my wife. I think food is as important as health care and should be protected.”

Health campaigner Bob Bryant, a former hospital governor, added: “There hasn’t been any consultation. My concerns are for patients, visitors and staff. This canteen cooks all the hot meals for patients. If they put catering out to tender, will it come in pre-packed?”

Warrington Hospital explained that it had to look at the cost of the services because the income could not cover the overheads.

A spokesman for Warrington Hospital said: “We have to look at making some changes. We are ensuring that a good range of sandwiches and snacks are available and that staff on shifts can still order a hot meal later in the day.

“The trust is looking at longer term plans for catering across both sites. There are proposals to build a new kitchen at Warrington as the current kitchen is outdated.

“It is likely that the entire catering service will be put out to tender so the trust can look at proposals to fund the new kitchen and provide the catering service.

“The current in-house hospital catering team will be bidding for the service which will be measured on quality of service as well as cost.”