Eating well helps you to recover, so we want you to benefit as much as possible from the foods that you eat.
Meals are served three times a day and brought to your bedside, or served in a communal dining setting. The menu booklet is held at the nurses station and a member of the team will visit you each day for you to choose your food. The menus provide a choice of meals based on meeting your nutritional needs and providing healthy choices and always include a vegetarian option.
A range of special diets including modified textures for patients that have swallowing difficulties are also available. If you have special dietary or specific religious needs, for example halal or kosher food, there are specific menus.
The Trust operates a protected mealtime policy. Protected meal times are a designated quiet time on the ward where patients who are eating are permitted to do so without interruptions from Doctors, nurses or any other staff. You should also, where possible, not be taken for any tests during mealtimes. A relative, carer or close friend may visit you at mealtimes to assist you with eating and drinking, please liaise with your nurse in charge to arrange this. If however you have to visit another hospital for tests, or are not on the ward at a mealtime, the ward staff will offer you an alternative meal such as a sandwich, piece of fruit, yogurt, juice drink and perhaps a slice of cake or something similar.
We are sure you are aware of the dangers that can result from eating incorrectly stored or cooked foods. Please assist us by not bringing in the following foods; cooked meat and poultry, Fish and shell fish, cream cakes, milk and dairy products and prepared sandwiches. Any food that is bought in must be in a sealed container and labelled with the patients name and dated on arrival. Chilled food can only be stored for 24 hours. Thank you.
