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Lancashire's emergencies staff love fast food
Forget soggy sandwiches and last night's leftovers.
Emergency service staff are amongst the most prolific organisations when it comes to ordering takeaways to their work premises, according to a leading online takeaway company.
In the past year, 450 takeaways were ordered by staff at fire stations in the county, 550 to police stations and 1,300 to hospitals and doctors surgeries.
Tracy Murdock, clinical co-ordinator for the healthy lifestyles team at NHS Central Lancashire said: "We encourage staff to take regular breaks and try to plan their meals ahead.
"This can involve a healthy takeaway option and many of our local takeaway shops will deliver. It is also a good way for staff to have a portion of their five-a-day as takeaway shops deliver salads and fruit.
"We would, however, encourage staff to go out and collect their own meals and snacks as we promote regular exercise also."
A spokesman for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "In moderation, takeaway food makes a nice treat and, with sleeping quarters on site for doctors and nurses as well as some visitors, they can be a convenience after a hard day's work."
Since March 2009, nearly 140,000 orders were made from police stations, fire stations, doctors' surgeries and hospitals across the UK.
Pizza was the favourite meal among police, fire crews and medical staff, followed by Indian to police and fire stations and Chinese to medical staff. A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: "All our fire stations have catering facilities but, like the majority of other people, firefighters like to have a takeaway, especially if they have had a busy shift and they haven't had time to cook any meals.
"Or if they've cooked the food and got called out and it's got ruined, we don't want them to starve. There's no problem with them getting a takeaway."
One fireman, based at Preston Fire Station, Blackpool Road, said: "Occasionally we might get a takeaway.
"On this watch, we pay into a catering club so we cook meals. You've got to keep the physique!"
A Lancashire Constabulary spokesman said: "Officers are entitled to choose to order food on their breaks if they wish."
David Buttress, managing director of Just-Eat.co.uk, who conducted the survey, said: "American police officers may love doughnuts but, despite our right to remain silent, we can tell you that our own officers are huge fans of a good pizza."
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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