A fresh approach to catering services at local hospital
Local people are invited to attend an independent review of the food provided at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) to carefully design meals that are offered to patients, visitors and staff.
A panel of advisors, including the Patient Panel, who support the hospital to improve services, the quality improvement team, and nutrition and hydration specialists at PAHT, are set to lead the review.
Ann Nutt, chair of the Patient Panel at PAHT, said: “We are keen to hear the opinions and experiences of our patients, their carers, and visitors, about the catering selection we currently offer at PAHT.
“By taking part in the review, you will need to attend two initial workshops, either online or in person, that will provide you with an overview of the project and an understanding of how nutrition and hydration can help to aid their recovery.
“You will then support us with formulating and designing specialised menus that have a varied choice of nutritious, well balanced and appetising food options, suitable for all diets and needs.”
“Once the choices have been agreed, we will move to the production stage to experiment with options that will be taken forward and trialled at the hospital. These sessions will be based in Harlow.”
Michael Meredith, director of strategy and estates at PAHT, added: “The wellbeing of patients and people is a top priority for us, which includes the nutritional care that they receive.
“The valuable input from local people will help to generate a wealth of new ideas and offer the best possible catering service to meet the needs of all our patients, visitors and staff. Thank you to all involved with this project.”
To join or find out more about the catering review panel, contact the quality improvement team at PAHT, at paht.qualityfirst@nhs.net.
The team will support transport to the workshops and associate costs. Light refreshments will also be provided at each session.