"The effects on health & wellbeing of the inpatient food in the RAH"

I recently received excellent care in the RAH in Paisley during a 2 night stay on Ward 32 for a hysterectomy. The staff were wonderful, and I have left feedback for them. On a separate matter, I wanted to express my concern about the food available for inpatients. Although I was in a Gyn ward, my ward-mates were overflows from orthopaedics; both in their 80s and either partially or completely unable to walk unaided.

The staff on the ward could not have been more supportive of my ward-mates, both of whom had trouble with constipation for several days, causing them physical and psychological distress. They were offered medication etc to help get things moving, and the team did their best with the resources available to them. However, I feel very strongly that the food on the ward was a contributing factor to this issue that I observed taking up staff time (generously given, but ideally avoidable) and money for medication.

I myself struggle with constipation on occasion and was particularly conscious that following my surgery my most likely source of pain was going to be through that, so had hoped that the inpatient food would be a source of fruit and veg, whole grains etc - roughage. It simply wasn't. It was perfectly acceptable food - I thoroughly enjoyed my beef stew and mash - but in terms of patient care it struck me as a enormous missed opportunity. Both my ward-mates told me that they would normally begin their day with porridge ("with salt, never sugar!"). On the ward - despite there being 'just add hot water' porridges on the market - this wasn't a breakfast option and I think it would have made such a difference to my ward-mates' happiness and perhaps also their physical health if it had been.

On my second evening, dinner included an option of sweet and sour pork with white rice. The nurse very kindly added a portion of veg at my request, but - perfectly nice as the meal was - it seemed to be a wasted opportunity to supply much-needed fibre. It could/should have had loads of veggies and maybe even a piece of pineapple or two if people were feeling daring! If the vegetables are large enough, then those who don't want them can pick them out. It could have been brown rice. An opportunity to get some fibre and nutrients into the dinner was lost, while frail people who need all the nutritional support available were taking medication to deal with a potentially avoidable problem.

Lunch was soup (nice, and possibly with some hidden veg/lentils, but I have no idea) and a pre-packaged sandwich (not lovely, unfortunately). The filling I liked the sound of only came with white bread, so I asked for the brown bread option and ate the bread without the filling.

Breakfast, despite missing porridge, had a bran flakes option, which was very welcome (also Weetabix alongside the Rice Crispies etc). I'd brought my own fruit and nut mix, so added some of that. I was also offered a white roll (brown wasn't available that day) with butter and jam and a wee glass of orange juice. It was perfectly nice, but I really thought it was a missed opportunity to get some (maybe canned or dried) fruit into folk.

It seems to me that investing a little more in nutritional health seems worth the money for patient care - it must surely improve outcomes in the long run? I'd love to see this area of healthcare get a bit more love because the potential beneficial outcomes for patients are both physical and psychological.