U-turn puts WI cake back on menu

Patients can once again have their cake and eat it

A Women's Institute's cakes are back on the menu at an Essex hospital after a ban on their treats was lifted.

Members of a local WI group had been told their cakes could pose a health risk to patients at Saffron Walden Community Hospital.

But Uttlesford Primary Care Trust has now overturned the ban after examining the issue in "greater depth".

A spokeswoman for the WI said they were delighted the patients could again enjoy cake with their afternoon tea.

The group baked 12 cakes a month for patients, but the trust said it decided to stop the supply as it could not guarantee the patients' safety without inspecting the kitchens where they were baked.

'Immediate effect'

The WI staged two days' of campaigning to have the baked goodies reinstated, contacting newspapers and other news outlets.

On Thursday evening a spokeswoman for Uttlesford PCT said that after advice from Essex Strategic Health Authority and the Health Protection Agency, it had reconsidered its decision.

"The PCT will accept cakes provided by the WI with immediate effect," she said.

"Having examined the issue in greater depth, Uttlesford PCT has taken the view that the negligible risk to patients is greatly outweighed by the pleasure they can give."

Carol LeClercq, secretary of the Radwinter WI, said she was overjoyed with the decision.

"All that publicity paid off and it has worked," she said.

Before the ban was lifted, Mrs LeClercq said the WI had felt a "little insulted" by the ban.