Overcrowded hospitals in Ireland have been forced to stop giving hot meals to patients who are on gurneys waiting for a bed, according to on the Independent website.
The ban on hot meals has been introduced for patients' safety in several hospitals, the Irish Independent has learned. Even though patients wait for many hours, health officials are concerned at the potential accidents that could happen if plates or bowls of food are overturned.
St James's Hospital, Dublin, the largest hospital in the State, said: "All patients in our emergency department receive suitable meals throughout the day as clinically permitted and as required."
Other hospitals say they continue to serve the hot meals in A&E including Beaumont, Tallaght, Galway and Cork. St Vincent's Hospital did not respond to queries.
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