Up to six kitchen staff at Oamaru Hospital will lose their jobs after Waitaki District Health Services signed an agreement to outsource food services.
The Waitaki DHB confirmed yesterday that it signed a deal with Presbyterian Support Otago the prepare patient meals, staff meals and to run the Meals on Wheels service for the town. The announcement ends months of uncertainty about the future of the hospital kitchen.
“The kitchen space will be used for washing dishes, preparing food trolleys and for storage of food such as breakfast items and frozen meals for emergencies,” said Waitaki District Health Services chief executive Ruth Kibble. “Ultimately, this will free up some space for the hospital to utilise for further services.” She said the agreement would ensure that the catering services would remain within Oamaru.
