Petition calls on SDHB to ditch Compass

A petition calling on the Southern District Health Board to ditch its contract with the company supplying hospital meals in the area has been presented to the board's commissioner.

There has been criticism over patient meals since Compass took over in February, with some people describing what they were getting to eat as awful and bland, Radio NZ reports.

Real Meals coalition spokesperson Anna Huffstutler said they had gathered 3000 signatures for their petition to get rid of Compass.

''We want the Compass contract gone, and the job of preparing hospital meals and Meals on Wheels back where it belongs - in hospital kitchens where local ingredients are used and local people are doing the work.''

Ms Huffstutler said the petition was presented to the commissioner, Kathy Grant, this afternoon.