Mice the suspects in University Hospital Galway kitchen closure

The main production kitchen in University Hospital Galway has been closed since last Thursday as a result of suspected rodent activity – with patients and staff being kept in the dark as to the reason food options have been limited for the past week.

The Galway City Tribune understands that kitchen staff were called to a meeting on February 13 to inform them that there was an issue with gas, and as a result, the production kitchen would be closed until further notice.

Following this, staff at the hospital discovered a dead mouse on the premises on Sunday – resulting in the continued closure of kitchen facilities used to feed over 700 patients.

However, the majority of staff have not been officially informed of the real reason the closure had to be enforced – rumours are rife in the hospital with many now aware that it’s as a result of a possible mice infestation.

Eyebrows were raised by staff when it was suggested that an issue with gas supply was at the root of the problem, as the staff canteen in the Old Nurses’ Home has remained operational.

Throughout the week, food options available to patients have become further curtailed – with breakfast limited to cereals, while porridge is unavailable.

Lunches consist of pre-packed sandwiches and salads with tea or coffee, while patients on special diets are being catered for.

The only hot food being made available to patients is being cooked at Merlin Park University Hospital and being transferred across the city by van in evening rush hour.

As a result of this logistical nightmare, patients are receiving their first and only hot meal of the day just before 6pm each evening – anything between 45 minutes and an hour later than normal.

Sources in the hospital told the Tribune that staff from UHG are unable to enter the kitchen at Merlin Park until after 3pm as the kitchen there is run by HSE staff – UHG’s kitchen is run by Aramark, a private contractor.

One staff member who spoke to the Tribune said this incident had highlighted the serious lack of contingency planning in the hospital in relation to the preparation of food – pointing out that if there happened to be a particularly bad traffic snarl up, for example, patients would be left hungry.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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