An apple a day ... fruit and veg stall opens at Rotherham Hospital

FRUIT and veg are now on the menu at Rotherham Hospital after a greengrocer was brought in to help staff and patients stock up on site.

The stall at the main entrance is manned by long-standing business K.D. Davis & Sons, which has been in Rotherham since 1938.

Director Matthew Davis said: “It feels really nice to have been asked to do this and be able to give something back to the NHS.

“It’s also an easy and efficient way for staff to be able to get a good source of fruit and veg when it’s right on their doorstep.”  

The hospital said the stall was proving popular, with queues of up to 20 people during busy periods.

Hospital visitor Kirsten Howells praised the move, saying: “I think it’s such a forward-thinking initiative.

“Every NHS hospital should have a local greengrocer outside it and help us to get healthier.”

Kirsten, of Catcliffe, said she had been impressed by the care her late husband had received last year at Rotherham Hospital, where he underwent treatment for a rare blood cancer.

“I think it’s something we should be doing UK-wide and if Rotherham are leading the way - I think it’s fabulous,” she said.

“You normally see things like vending machines at hospitals but surely an apple a day keeps the doctor away!”

She added: “I hope it becomes a regular thing.”

Paul Bird, head of facilities services at the hospital trust, said: “A balanced diet is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle so it is wonderful to see that the stall has been a hit with staff and visitors alike. 

“I look forward to seeing provisions such as this develop, making it easier for our community to make positive lifestyle choices.”

The stall is open from 5am to noon every Tuesday and Friday.