Hospitals said they're opening food banks for their own staff as pay for NHS workers isn't enough to meet the growing demands of the cost of living crisis.
Skint NHS workers have been offered free food and meals at two hospitals in the West Midlands as bosses feared for staff welfare.
Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital and Walsall Manor Hospital have taken the drastic measure, which came amidst ongoing disputes with the government over pay and further strikes planned for later this week.
Both hospitals are offering free bread, cereal bars and hot drinks to their 16,000 staff, while subsidised hot meals are being offered for £1.50 each.
Pay talks between Unite's NHS lead Onay Kasab and Secretary of State Steve Barclay was unsuccessful on Monday, with the union boss saying the government "only wanted to talk about productivity".
Ambulance workers will go ahead with a planned walkout on Wednesday and again on January 23, while nurses with the RCN will also down tools on January 18 and 19.
A recent survey has also found thousands of NHS staff have already been seeking help from food banks and over a half of hospitals are planning to offer similar support.
Bosses at the two West Midlands hospital trusts said they were alerted in the summer to rising concerns amongst staff about being able to afford basics due to the soaring cost of bills.
Professor David Loughton CBE, Group Chief Executive of both Trusts, said: "We have a duty of care to support our staff and their wellbeing is our focus, so this gesture has been made to support them at a challenging time for so many people in our society.
"Sadly, there is a real need for this service, and, we're keen to do everything we can to help our colleagues.
"By doing this we know our staff are there for our patients, and they will not be going without a small meal or access to essentials.
"We are pleased to be able to offer this but extremely concerned too; our organisations are at risk of increased staff absence due to stress and the potential of increased vacancies if colleagues cannot afford to work due to the cost of living crisis."
The Staff Wellbeing Hub at Wolverhampton and the Manor Lounge at Walsall Hospital include a small food and essential items shop for all staff.
At New Cross, there was already a 'stream of regular customers' at the hub for breakfast and the foodbank, while the same is expected at the Manor.
The two were not the first hospitals to start offering free food and meals to help struggling staff.
Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust started working with a food poverty charity to set up a "staff pantry" for those below the breadline.
The Trust's Chief People Officer and Deputy Chief executive, Michelle Turner, said the service was for "anyone who may need it - no questions asked".
Ellie Orton OBE, chief executive of NHS Charities Together, said: "As the cost of living escalates, like many employers NHS Trusts and the charities who support them are looking at ways to help staff through the crisis.
"But with pressures facing NHS workers already so extreme, it's heartbreaking that some are having to resort to using food banks to get by.
"Right now hardship funds and support are the main topic of interest for NHS charities.
"Queries from our members range from the setting up of benevolent funds and access to travel bursaries, to the possibility of providing hot meal vouchers and other basic support, including food banks.
"As a sector we are proud to support the staff and patients of the NHS however we can, and sadly today that support is more important than ever."
