Hospital hit by mystery illness
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Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
AN international food supplier is at the centre of a major investigation after Raigmore Hospital catering staff were struck down by a sudden mystery illness.
The workers are involved in a trial for a new food product aimed at patients with swallowing difficulties, such as stroke victims and dementia sufferers.
At least 10 staff developed symptoms ranging from temporary loss of vision to facial inflammation and all but one required treatment at the hospital’s accident and emergency department.
The cause has not yet been established but a hospital spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that apetito — a global company whose UK business includes the provision of frozen ready meals to care homes, local authorities and hospitals — is at the centre of the on-going investigation.
One theory understood to be under consideration is that the food packaging may be to blame.
Raigmore’s catering department has 60 members of staff who provide 2500 meals a day — three daily meals to 500 patients and 1000 meals to staff and visitors.
A hospital insider said the symptoms began to emerge after staff went home from their shifts on Wednesday night.
“Apparently it was dreadful,” she said.
“Some had lost their vision because their eyes were so swollen, they couldn’t open them.
“It took a while for their sight to come back. It must have been frightening.”
Others experienced excruciating pain, swollen faces, facial inflamation and severe itching.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said others in the catering department had been affected but with less serious symptoms which they had not immediately associated with the incident.
“I am surprised the kitchen was not closed down for a while to find out what was going on,” the person continued.
A hospital spokeswoman said no-one had been kept in hospital and everyone was now back at work.
The hospital’s occupational health and health and safety teams are now involved in the investigation alongside Highland Council’s environmental health department. The Food Standards Agency has also been informed.
“It is not yet clear what has caused this but we, along with our food supplier, are investigating thoroughly,” the spokeswoman said.
“It is believed to be a one-off incident as no one else has reported having symptoms. From NHS Highland’s point of view, we have done everything we should have.”
She also stressed no patients had been put at risk.
“The food never entered the food chain at the hospital so there was no danger of patients being affected.
“Due to the symptoms displayed by staff, we do not believe it to be food-related. We’re expecting the test results at the end of the week.”
In a statement, apetito did not wish to comment but in an issued statement, it confirmed it was working closely with both the hospital and the local authority to establish what may have triggered the incident.
v.sweeney@inverness-courier.co.uk
