Catering services - Patient and Visitor Information

This leaflet provides information to help you get the best service possible from the Catering Department.

The catering staff and dietitians work together to ensure you receive nutritious and enjoyable foods whilst in hospital. Throughout the day we  provide: -

Breakfast (7.55—8.20am)

- fruit juice

- porridge or a variety of cereals

- bread or morning rolls

- butter, reduced fat spread, jam

  or marmalade

Lunch (11.55am—1.00pm)

There is a choice of-

- main course or a sandwich

- dessert

Evening meal (4.40pm—5.30pm)

There is a choice of-

- fruit juice or soup

- main course or sandwich

- dessert 

Late evening snack (Served from 8pm)

There is a choice of savoury or sweet snacks.

A member of staff on your ward will ask you to choose from a menu, if you require assistance choosing your meals , a member of staff can support you. These meals will be provided to you next day. If you miss a meal the nurse will arrange a suitable meal or snack to be prepared for you.

In-between meals, the following items are available in the ward:

• Biscuits
• Tea, coffee, beefy drink, hot chocolate
• Fruit squash
• Milk

Breakfast cereal, bread, jam, marmalade, butter, salt, pepper and sugar are also readily available between meals, speak to a member of staff on the ward and they can request these from the kitchen.

Some wards have a dining area where you can eat your meal. However, most people eat their meal on a table beside their bed.

Please let the nurses know if you need help with eating and drinking. 

If you use special cutlery, plates or cups at home to help you with your eating and drinking, you can bring them into hospital with you (please label them with your name). Otherwise, the nurses can arrange for you to have the correct cutlery, plates or cups.

Menus include coding in order to help you make suitable meal choices. These include:

• Healthy Eating (*)
• Higher Energy (↑)
• Soft Option (S)
• Vegetarian (v)

There will always be a vegetarian choice at each meal. You can find more details about dietary codes on the back of your menu.

If you require a special diet for medical, religious or cultural reasons, please tell the nursing staff. If you have a food allergy or intolerance, you must tell the nursing staff when you come into hospital and you will be supported to choose suitable options.

We recommend that you discourage relatives and friends from bringing high-risk foods into hospital.

High Risk Foods:

• Nuts

Food that requires refrigeration e.g:

• Egg and dairy products
• Cooked rice
• Cooked meat
• Raw vegetables salads
• Takeaways

Suitable Foods:

• Fresh fruit
• Bottled/canned non-alcoholic drinks
• Wrapped/packaged biscuits, cakes, chocolate and sweets
• Packets of crisps

The Dining Room is on the first floor and open from 7.15am-7.30pm serving a variety of hot meals and snacks throughout the day. There is also a WRVS shop at the main entrance.

We try to ensure you are not interrupted at mealtimes and if required are able to get support with your meal. Visitors are asked not to visit during mealtimes unless they are helping with your meal.

The Catering Department may ask you to fill in a short survey while you are in hospital. This will help us to improve the service and menu choices. You are also always welcome to contact the catering staff with feedback at any time.

If you have a problem with your meal or with the catering service, please speak to the nursing staff. A member of the Catering Department will also be happy to speak to you.

We hope you enjoy your meals during your stay.