Newcastle's NHS staff are being offered free porridge and evening meals after a nurse broke down in tears at the till because she could not afford to pay for her breakfast.
The Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust revealed the measure last week on social media, but on the picket line outside the Freeman Hospital on Thursday nurse told reporters why this had come about. Research nurse Catherine Marsh revealed the shocking story which highlights how difficult the cost-of-living crisis has become for NHS staff.
The trust confirmed it is providing free porridge to workers at its Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospital sites in December and January. Standing on the picket line amid freezing conditions, Ms Marsh told the PA news agency: “We have a situation where the trust is giving us free porridge and meals in the evening. This was caused by a member of staff going to the restaurant, she got her porridge, she got to the till and was unable to pay.
