A Perth takeaway owner who attracted support from across the country after being “banned” from delivering free food to nurses at PRI has reached a compromise with health bosses.
Pete Chan of the China China takeaway in the Fair City has been hand-delivering leftover meals to Perth Royal Infirmary night staff for the past 12 years, often while wearing “BatChan” fancy dress.
However, last week he took to social media to complain after managers at the hospital said it was “not appropriate” for him to be on the wards at night.
After a national outcry at the actions of the health “jobsworths”, he met bosses at NHS Tayside on Thursday, resulting in an agreement that he can still deliver food, subject to conditions.
Speaking after the meeting he described the new arrangement as a “victory and well-fought”.
He said: “Nurses had informed us that ‘all outside food was banned’, so to get this ban lifted is a positive result for the staff.
“I’d like to thank Councillor Willie Wilson and Pete Wishart MP for their efforts and support in this matter.”
Mr Wilson, who went with Mr Chan to the meeting at PRI, said the agreement was “reasonable”.
He said: “I accompanied Mr Chan as he is a constituent and has a business in Perth South.
“The meeting was a robust discussion. Everyone agreed at the outset that the safety of patients and staff was paramount. It’s essential that health service managers can ensure there is controlled access to the hospital at night.
“The agreement that was reached was that patients and staff can still order takeaway food and that will require to be delivered to the A&E entrance and the staff who have ordered the food will be responsible for collecting it from there.
“My own view is that it’s a pity that the matter was not resolved outwith the glare of social media and the press but I am content that we now have a reasonable solution.”
Jim Foulis, associate nurse director for NHS Tayside, said patient security had to come first.
“We would like to thank Mr Chan for taking the time to meet with us,” he said.
“During the meeting, I assured Mr Chan that we understand that he has been acting with the best of intentions. However, I reiterated that our position has not changed and that we cannot have people accessing wards when the inpatient areas of the hospital are effectively closed.
“The security and safety of our patients and staff will always be our primary concern.”
Mr Chan has previously been warned about filming inside the hospital while doing deliveries but had not been banned from attending.