Production, and supply of food for patients
Annwyl [Authority name],
I am writing to make a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act, for information held by your NHS Trust (health board) about the food production methods and catering procedures employed within the Trust's healthcare facilities.
For the purposes of clarity, I am referring to food that is prepared for, or otherwise supplied to patients by the Trust. This would likely, predominantly, be food supplied to in-patients; but it may well also include any restaurants supplied by your catering department (e.g., cafés, where supplied).
## Food Production Methods:
RFI 1: Does the Trust produce food for patients in-house? If so, please clarify whether this is carried out on a central site (e.g., central production unit), or within each individual hospital. If there is a mixture of both, please clarify, where possible.
RFI 2: If food is not produced in-house, please provide details on whether it is produced by a third-party facilities contractor (e.g., under a PFI agreement), or purchased from external sources, in frozen (or chilled) format.
Where possible, for RFI 1 and 2, please also clarify the arrangements for delivery-to-patient (e.g., is the food supplied to wards and then reheated on-site, or is some other reheating method used).
RFI 3: For in-patient meals, what is the average cost per meal, to the Trust?
## Recipe and Cooking Method Information:
RFI 4: In the event that the Trust produces food in-house, please supply a copy of the recipes, and cooking / preparation methods utilised by the catering department for standardised food items. I would imagine that this information would be readily available, owing to standardisation of menu items [1].
This would include information on ingredients, preparation steps, cooking temperatures, and any relevant nutritional considerations (e.g., it might be noted on menus that certain items are suitable for those on restricted diets, or that some menu items have specific allergens).
RFI 5: If you do not produce food in-house, please confirm whether you hold standardised information as to what items are available (e.g., menus, and nutritional / allergen information), and supply a copy, where possible.
My preference would be to receive any correspondence electronically (as afforded under §11(1)(a) of FoIA), ideally in a format that allows for contents to be interpreted using screen reading software.
If the Trust intends to supply redacted correspondence, I should be grateful if it would ensure that the text itself is "readable", e.g., by ensuring that content is not supplied merely in image format. Similarly, if there is data held in a spreadsheet format, please supply Excel or CSV files - a PDF may, for example, not allow for easy interpretation of the data.
I would hope that the bulk of this information is readily available, given the standardised nature of hospital catering services; however, if it is likely that a "costs" issue will come into play, I would be happy, in the first instance, to limit my request solely to your in-patient facilities (e.g. excluding any retail / staff catering offer).
I look forward to hearing from you within the statutory timescale, however, should you require any clarity, please do not hesitate in contacting me.
Cofion cynnes,
Martyn Dewar
[1] In line with the Welsh Government's National Catering and Nutrition specification for Food and Fluid provision (and any successor): https://www.bapen.org.uk/pdfs/e-learning...
Dear Martyn Dewar,
Thank you for your request below. This request is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please find enclosed our leaflet providing guidance on our procedure for managing requests.
I would like to confirm that your request is being processed and we will write to you shortly. A final decision on your request would normally be sent to you within 20 working days of receipt of your request. This means that you can expect to receive your decision by 19tth September.
We welcome correspondence through the medium of Welsh.
Many thanks,
Jenna Hughes
Information Governance Administrator
Gweinyddwr Llywodraethu Gwybodaeth
Pob ymholiad / cais i gael ei gofnodi ar y porth Llywodraethu Gwybodaeth:
https://ictportal.cymru.nhs.uk/governance
All queries / requests to be logged on the Information Governance portal:
https://ictportal.cymru.nhs.uk/governance
Ffon/Tel: 03000 858361
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P Arbedwch bapur - peidiwch ag argraffu'r neges hwn onibai ei fod yn hollol angenrheidiol os gwelwch yn dda!
We welcome correspondence through the medium of Welsh
Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg
Dear Martyn Dewar,
It was my sincere hope that we would be able to supply you with a final
response within the timescale laid down in the Act, however, we have
experienced unforeseen delays in responding to your request. Please accept
my apologies for this.
We are currently working with our leads to collate the information
requested. Please be assured that we will make every effort to provide you
with a response at the earliest opportunity and apologise for any
inconvenience this may cause. We do remain committed to responding to your
request and will respond as soon as we are able. If you remain unhappy
with our response you have the right to complain to the Information
Commissioners Office and you can contact them at:
Information Commissioner’s Office - Wales 2nd Floor, Churchill House,
Churchill Way, Cardiff, CF10 2HH
Tel: 0330 414 6421
[1][email address]
[2]www.ico.org.uk
twitter.com/iconews
Many thanks,
Jenna Hughes
Information Governance Administrator
Gweinyddwr Llywodraethu Gwybodaeth
Pob ymholiad / cais i gael ei gofnodi ar y porth Llywodraethu Gwybodaeth:
[3]https://ictportal.cymru.nhs.uk/governance
All queries / requests to be logged on the Information Governance portal:
[4]https://ictportal.cymru.nhs.uk/governance
Ffon/Tel: 03000 858361
P Help save paper – do not print this message unless necessary!
P Arbedwch bapur - peidiwch ag argraffu'r neges hwn onibai ei fod yn
hollol angenrheidiol os gwelwch yn dda!
We welcome correspondence through the medium of Welsh
Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg
[5]The IG Code
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Cymraeg
Rhybudd Ebost (2010) - Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr
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English
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board - Email Notice (2010)
You are advised to read (and print for future reference) the Betsi
Cadwaladr University Health Board e-mail notice which can be found at this
location
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Cadwaladr University Local Health Board
References
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3. https://ictportal.cymru.nhs.uk/governance
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6. http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/861/tu...
7. http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/861/pa...
Dear Martyn Dewar
Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay. Further to your recent request for information under the Freedom of Information Act, please find attached our response.
Cofion Cynnes / Kind Regards
Keeley Howard
Information Governance Co-Ordinator
Cydlynydd Llywodraethu Gwybodaeth
Pob ymholiad / cais i gael ei gofnodi ar y porth Llywodraethu Gwybodaeth: https://ictportal.cymru.nhs.uk/governance
All queries / requests to be logged on the Information Governance portal: https://ictportal.cymru.nhs.uk/governance
Os ydych angen cymorth brys ffoniwch 03000 858361
If you require urgent assistance please phone 03000 858361
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board – Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr
Trust Headquarters, Maelor Hospital, Croesnewydd Road, Wrexham LL13 7TD
Email/Ebost: [email address]
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