Kent hospital opens mini-supermarket for staff

Margate’s QEQM hospital has opened the doors to a mini-supermarket exclusively for NHS workers.

The intention of the shop is for frontline workies to purchase essential groceries during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Chairman of the QEQM League of Friends charity, Mr Jeremy Voizey, said: “The trust came up with the idea that some of their staff who have got a bit of spare time becase of the COVID problem,  use our premises to supply some food for the staff.

“They can pick up a lasagne, for instance. Dash home, stick it in the oven and eat it instead of queueing up at one of the big supermarkets. They’re working pretty long shifts, some of these folk.”

You can listen to the full interview here:

The hospital’s League of Friends charity shop and tea bar has had to temporarily shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. The mini-supermarket located in the same place.

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In a Facebook post, a LoF representitive said: “Because of Government guidelines we’ve had to temporarily suspend our usual trolley & shop/tea bar service in the Hospital which remains the case.”

We’re proud to be collaborating with the Trust so they can use our shop facilities to support the staff at this difficult time.

“The aim of the store is to help staff working varied shifts who can’t get out to get their groceries to pick up essentials such as bread, tinned goods, pasta, milk & products such as ready meals. It’s manned by NHS staff (rather than our volunteers).”

The store is located at the entrance to the Walmer Suite by the St. Peter’s Road entrance of QEQM.

The onsite shop launched on Wednesday and only accepts contactless payments.

The opening hours are from 7am to 8pm on weekdays and 7.30am until 2pm on weekends.