IN April, I sent a memo to staff at Fairfield General Hospital reminding them that the milk, bread, cereals and drinks provided to wards are for the patients, not their visitors.
This does not mean that staff can not give a cup of tea to a relative who has just had some bad news or who really needs it (Letters, June 18). That is a clear message that we have given out to ward staff who have raised the issue with us.
What it does mean is that we should remember that the money allocated for these items comes from a catering budget for patients, not their visitors. The NHS is expected to use these funds to help patients directly and that is what we should be doing. I'm sure that visitors would agree with us, as it is their relatives or friends receiving hospital treatment who benefit.
Visitors can use either vending machines on the wards or others located nearby. We are also adding more vending machines at Fairfield and I can assure readers that no-one is "required to go halfway round the hospital in search of tea, coffee and sugar".
LAWRENCE ELLISON,
catering services manager,
Fairfield General Hospital.
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