"No appropriate provision for patients following a low residue diet"

An emergency admission. I am a cancer patient and developed a high temperature and rigours. The local MacMillian Unit advised me to present my self urgently to A&E 

I was admitted initially to ward 6 then transferred to Ward 4 the next day. I was then placed in Protective isolation for 5 days  until my discharge

As a Bowel Cancer patient I have been following a low residue diet since February 2018 and I am fully cognisant with its restrictions. The diet I am adhering to was issued to me by the dietitian at the Borders General Hospital.

During the stay I marked all of my menus as LOW RESIDUE DIET. My experience revealed an urgent training need in the kitchens 

During the duration of the stay I was served 7 breakfasts . I opted for low residue however on 1 occasion porridge was supplied . This is not allowed on LRD.

Of the hot meals which numbered 11 despite my specific requests the following inappropriate food was delivered: 6 in total

- Mince containing sweet and carrot with carrot as a vegetable ( picked out the inappropriate veg)

- On 2 occassions brown rice was provided

- Sausage and mash requested but only sausages offered

- Cheese and biscuits had wheaten biscuits 

 - A request for jacket potato with grated cheese was replaced with a cheese sandwich ( jacket potatoes are permitted but the skin is not consumed)

Whilst my care was excellent it is clear that there is an immediate training need for the kitchen in the appropriate provision for patients following a low residue diet .