A food bank has been set up for NHS staff unable to afford basic food due to the rising cost of living.

The West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is among one of several NHS trusts to set up the food bank amid fears that healthcare workers can’t keep up with price rises.

Described as an ‘Essentials Hub’, the trust says it will allow staff and the local community to provide food and necessities to people that are struggling.

It is an initiative led by the Watford and West Herts Chamber of Commerce and Sewa Day charity.

Currently the launch is being trialled with further information about the hub to come later on.

Sara Gorton, head of health at UNISON, the UK's largest trade union, said that it is shocking health workers “no longer have enough to feed their families”.

She said: “With living costs spiralling, the government must step in to end the growing misery. An inflation-busting NHS pay rise would help boost households struggling to stay afloat.”

Have you got a story for us? You can contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

To receive breaking news alerts or newsletters sign up here.