Staff and food problems are causing ''chaos'' at hospitals in Auckland where a new hospital food contract started last month, the Service and Food Workers' Union says.
In a couple of months, it will be the South's turn to implement the controversial 15-year contract with the Compass Group to run its food service.
Middlemore, North Shore and Waitakere Hospitals implemented the service just over a month ago, and there are problems, SFWU public and commercial services industry leader Jill Ovens told the Otago Daily Times.
''It would be not exaggerating to say [it's] chaos.''
Food was being wasted ''because the pre-prepared food is not that nice''.
Some of the soups were ''very salty''. An arrangement of ''beverage ladies and trolley boys'' had been overturned in the restructuring.
''It turns out there was a good reason for [that system].
''The new food service assistants have to push the trolleys to the wards and there is a lot of sloping passageways at Middlemore.
''Some of the women are finding it difficult to push these trolleys uphill,'' she said.
''They try to get the two remaining trolley boys to come and help them, and they're finding it really stressful.''
Some workers lost their jobs when Compass took over and ''we think they've gone too far'' in shedding staff.
Because of additional workload, some workers had not been able to leave until 10pm, when their finish time was supposed to be 7.30pm.
Ms Ovens said lessons must be drawn from the problems to ensure a better experience in the South.
The union met Compass representatives yesterday to discuss the concerns.
Potential for disruption was greater at SDHB, as unlike in Auckland, its main kitchen was not outsourced before the change, Ms Ovens said.
''The difference will be more noticeable in Southern DHB where there's a lot more cook-fresh.''
As many as 20% of staff might be out of work after the multinational provider takes over.
The union would be working hard to ensure the number of job losses was as low as possible in the South.
The food service contract was pushed by the Government's defunct Health Benefits Ltd, which has been replaced by an entity called NZ Health Partnerships.
Only five of the 20 health boards have agreed to enter the scheme, but the rest are encouraged to join.
NZ Health Partnerships spokesman Steve Fisher said any significant change brought ''early challenges while new processes are bedded in''.
''The new menu and food service systems will, in time, deliver improvements in food quality, service and nutrition to hospital patients.
''The monitoring and feedback systems are identifying areas for immediate improvement and any key learnings will be adopted in the planning for the future changes at the Auckland and Southern DHBs.''
The service would be implemented at Auckland Hospital later this year. SDHB chief executive Carole Heatly said Compass would take over on October 5.
''We are not directly involved with what is happening in Auckland but we have discussed your question with Compass and we understand that Waitemata and Counties Manukau DHBs are in the first weeks of operating under the new food service model.''
Parts of Ms Heatly's written statement were identical to that of Mr Fisher.
''The new menu and food service systems will in time deliver improvements in food quality, service and nutrition to hospital patients,'' Ms Heatly said.
''As with any significant change in a complex environment, there have been early challenges while new processes are bedded in.
''Of particular relevance for us, however, is that the monitoring and feedback systems are identifying areas for immediate improvement and any key learnings will be adopted in the planning for the future changes at the Southern DHB,'' Ms Heatly said.
In an unpopular move, the Southern board approved the outsourcing earlier this year.
The board was unswayed by a 7224-signature petition, and the vocal presence of more than 100 members of the public at the meeting in May.
Only two board members voted against the move.
Compass did not answer a request for comment yesterday.
