Tea trolleys to cost Scottish health board £2,500 each

It has been revealed that a Scottish health board - which is facing spending cuts of around £100 million - has ordered 27 trolleys to serve patients food and drinks, which cost £2,500 each.

The move, which has sparked criticism from many commentators, has been defended by the health board in question, NHS Grampian, with a spokesperson saying that the trolleys represented ‘a major service improvement’.

They said: "They are equipped with hot-water boilers which enable staff to safely provide freshly-made beverages to each patient, therefore improving fluid intake.”

However a Liberal Democrat spokesperson has said: "I am sure the health board needs tea and breakfast trolleys - but £75,000 worth? I don't think this spending is necessary at a time of austerity."

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