Amazon tech to offer 24-hour food at Telford hospital

The hospital said it wanted to give staff and visitors 24-hour access to food and drink

New technology has been used to create a 24-hour shop as part of hospital improvement work.

The Princess Royal Hospital in Telford is updating its entrance hall, saying staff have asked for around-the-clock access to food and drinks.

In response, a new store has been created that registers the items picked up by shoppers, charging them without the need to use a checkout.

It is reportedly the first hospital to use Amazon's "Just Walk Out" tech.

It works by customers tapping their payment card on a machine when they enter and the store then logging what they take off the shelves, with the card then automatically charged.

Nigel Lee, from the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, told BBC Radio Shropshire: "Many, many of our teams work across the night, across the weekends and getting access to food and drinks during really very busy shifts is so important."

Until now, the cafes and restaurant at the hospital were not open 24 hours.

The new store comes as part of a rebuild of the hospital entrance

The new-look entrance, which is almost complete, will also contain a business centre, coffee shop and space for admin staff.

Mr Lee said the rebuild became necessary as part of a larger project to improve the surgical facilities at the hospital, increasing its capacity for day surgery.

The "planned care hub" is due to open in early 2024 and includes new theatres and patient consultation rooms.

Customers at the new store are automatically charged for their goods