NHS to scrap morning cereals as part of plan to cut £400k off breakfast costs

Hospital patients will lose their Weetabix under NHS plans to cut breakfast costs by £420,000.

Health Minister Stephen Hammond says the NHS could save a third on breakfasts if it buys in bulk.

So hospital managers are being urged to use the health service’s central purchasing arm, NHS Supply Chain, rather than buy locally. NHS Supply will no longer routinely stock breakfast cereals Weetabix and Bran Flakes because of rising prices.

Patients would also lose out on strawberry and yoghurt plus fruit and nut chocolate Alpen cereal bars. 

A Department of Health source said branded items would be swapped for like-for-like products which offer better value. Mr Hammond also says some NHS trusts are paying 40 per cent more for tea than others.

He added: “The NHS pays wildly different amounts for simple things like tea, beans, and jam. By signing up, hospitals could save thousands of pounds.”

Nineteen Trusts are in the scheme and Mr Hammond wants all hospitals to join. Rona Miranda of NHS Supply Chain said: “We work hard to source nutritious food at the most competitive prices.” Hospitals will be able to order in cereals if they want and changes will be vetted. 

Earlier today, The Sunday Mirror reported that defence chiefs are calling on Burger King to open a fast food restaurant to serve Britain’s biggest Army base.

But they have a planning war on their hands, because the fast food chain would prefer to site the diner on a nearby out-of-town retail park instead.

The row erupted after Burger King and Starbucks put in an application for branches at Colburn, North Yorks.

This is a mile-and-a-half away from the military town of Catterick Garrison, where BK is being urged to open its restaurant on MoD-owned land.

Should chiefs get their way, soldiers will not have to yomp too far to get their fix of burgers, fries and shakes.