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Food and nutrition

Posted By Veggydietmatters

"Food and nutrition"

About: University Hospital Monklands / Medical Oncology (Ward 16)

(as a relative),

I have a family member who is vegetarian and has been going through aggressive chemotherapy, Over the last 3 months family have had to deliver food daily due to poor options for vegetarian diet on offer.  Visiting is prohibited though. This is taking an emotional toll 

On the patient and their family. The patient will likely remain in hospital
Many months yet. The vegetarian option offered one day last week was tuna pasta. This is disrespectful and damaging the health of an already weak patient. 
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Responses

Response from Lynn Mack, Cancer & Haematology Service Manager, NHS Lanarkshire 2 years ago
Lynn Mack
Cancer & Haematology Service Manager,
NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 25/08/2021 at 19:23
Published on Care Opinion at 19:23

picture of Lynn Mack

Dear Veggydietmatters

Thank you for taking the time to feedback around the poor options for vegetarian diets within UHM, ward 16. I can only apologies that this has been a poor experience for your family member, who is currently in the ward.

Dietary intake is an extremely important element of care for all patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment especially as taste can be altered and appetite reduced. We aim to focus on small and often diet whilst accommodating special dietary requirements. To support this we have good support from our dietetic colleagues who undertake assessments to ensure all patients are receiving the correct nutrition and offer build up drinks at times when patients may not feel up to foods. We also work with our catering colleagues who ensure that any special diets are accommodated. I can only apologies that what has been offered to date is not suitable for your family member and would like the opportunity to discuss further to enable the team to understand more on how we can work with the catering team to improve the vegetarian choices.

I would be extremely grateful if you could contact the ward direct to discuss further so we can make this better for your family member during their stay in the ward whilst undergoing their treatment.

I will feed this back to the ward staff so they can support moving forward and would like to thank you once again for your time to give us the feedback enabling us to make this better.

Best wishes

Lynn

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Update posted by Veggydietmatters (a relative)

Thank you for the prompt response.

I have relayed your reply to the Next of Kin who is the only permitted visitor. He will discuss with ward staff to examine solutions moving forward.

Regards

Response from Lynn Mack, Cancer & Haematology Service Manager, NHS Lanarkshire 2 years ago
Lynn Mack
Cancer & Haematology Service Manager,
NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 02/09/2021 at 20:51
Published on Care Opinion at 20:51

picture of Lynn Mack

Dear Veggydietmatters

This is extremely helpful and much appreciated thank you.

Warmest Regards

Lynn

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