Upon admission you will be asked about your diet and whether you have any specific dietary requirements (for example relating to an allergy or to your faith). We can cater for a range of dietary requirements eg. coeliac, halaal, kosher, and where necessary refer you to a Dietician or Occupational Therapist for specialist advice.
You will be given a menu card detailing a choice of meals from which to make your selection. The menu cards indicate specific details about the food eg. vegetarian, low salt, low sugar (etc). Ward staff will help you to complete these cards if necessary.
We run ‘protected mealtimes’ at lunch and supper time which means that meals should not be interrupted by doctors visits, tests (etc). This should make your meals more enjoyable and ensure you receive proper nutrition.
If you require assistance with eating the ward staff will help you. Alternatively your visitor may wish to help, but please check with your nurse first.
Your ward will supply you with beverages at regular intervals throughout the day.
We recognise that sometimes you may wish to eat food brought in from home. The Trust cannot accept responsibility for the safety of foods brought in to our
hospitals in this way and due to health and safety legislation, none of our wards have facilities to reheat meals. Staff are not able to prepare meals brought into the hospital.
A ward refrigerator is provided where cold foods may be stored. These must be labelled clearly with your name and the date and kept in a covered container. They can only be stored for up to twenty-four hours before being discarded.
We recommend that foods brought in to hospital should be commercially manufactured products which are hygienically wrapped and carry specific storage instructions.
