MATT Hancock will this month order NHS trusts to look at bringing in their own chefs after the ‘killer’ sandwich scandal.

An exhaustive review of hospital food will be launched in a matter of days as the Health Secretary urges management to end a reliance on outsourcing companies – and cooking back in-house.

He wants NHS Trusts to go ‘back to basics’ by bringing in their own chefs and relying on “quality” local food.

He will cite the examples of West Suffolk – which has 14 chefs cooking three meals a day for patients. Sources claimed he will separately charge the new.

Five people have lost their lives after eating pre-packed sandwiches prepared by the Good Food Chain, a supplier that has now gone into liquidation.

An insider said: “Matt has had growing concern about the quality of hospital food for a while now, and he wants to sort it out as soon as possible.

“He’s seen examples where sourcing food locally has both improved food quality and reduced costs, and wants more hospitals to look at bringing their catering back in house.

“So our review will look at the benefits of cooking more fresh food for patients rather than outsourcing it.”

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The Health Secretary is also expected to order the new, incoming Food and Standards Agency chief executive to leave no stoned unturned in finding the “source” of the listeria outbreak.

The firm is no longer seen as the source of the outbreak. Eight hospitals in seven NHS Trusts have reported cases of listeria linked to pre-packed sandwiches and salads eaten by patients.

A new chief executive of the tainted agency is expected to be unveiled this week.

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