Received from: SoR
Congress notes that during the height of the pandemic, NHS staff morale was boosted by gestures of appreciation from the public, such as examples of hot food being brought to hospitals for staff working at night. Now, these examples serve as cold reminders of the return to reality for NHS staff, expected to work long hours for poor reward with the added choice of eating poorly in snatched breaks or going hungry as canteen facilities close when visitors leave, or patients sleep.
Staff working during the day have access to hot food to sustain them through their shift and to allow them a break from work. Hot food stops during the night for short-term economic reasons, when minimal investment in an area like this could improve morale and staff retention. If public services such as the NHS are required 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, access to nutritious, affordable hot food should be available to all those expected to work regardless of the time of day.
Congress calls on the General Council to:
i. actively support health and other workers campaigning for access to nutritious, affordable hot food provision at regular intervals whenever they are at work across a 24-hour period.
ii. produce guidance for employers and health and safety reps to champion the economic, social and health benefits of investment in key workers’ diets.
Society of Radiographers