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"Monklands food"

About: University Hospital Monklands

(as the patient),

Day three in Monklands and so far I've managed to a bowl and a half of cornflakes. Why? Because, in my opinion, the food served for lunches and dinners is absolutely dreadful.

No veggie dinner option yesterday dinner and lunch was a rubbery cheese sandwich with watery, yet gloupy packet soup).

I understand the hospital can only spend a small amount per patient, however, given the large quantities they are making, why can't they make a huge pot of fresh soup which actually provides some nutrition for the patients.

After being disappointed that there was no dinner option for me yesterday I was somewhat excited to be asked if I'd like some fruit. Unfortunately I was then handed a small pot of diced fruit in syrup with about as much goodness in it as a teaspoon of sugar.

Schools have done a cracking job of reforming their meals. When will hospitals catch up?

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Responses

Response from Ruth Thompson, Chief of Nursing Services, Monklands Hospital, NHS Lanarkshire 7 years ago
Ruth Thompson
Chief of Nursing Services, Monklands Hospital,
NHS Lanarkshire
Submitted on 15/06/2016 at 17:43
Published on Care Opinion on 16/06/2016 at 09:16


picture of Ruth Thompson

Dear Lauren83

Thank you for taking the time to post your experience whilst an inpatient at Monklands Hospital and the poor experience you have had to date regarding your dietary requirements.

On the site we recognise the importance of good nutritional support to aid recovery and there is a significant amount of work ongoing with nursing, dietetics and catering colleagues to meet our patients dietary requirements. I would also like to assure you that our catering teams are always willing to meet with patients to receive feedback and arrange suitable meals.

From your post I have assumed you are still a patient within the hospital, can I ask you speak with the nurse in charge of the ward who can arrange an acceptable alternative meal for you. Please accept my apologies that this has not already happened.

I will also share your posting with my Hotel Services colleagues.

regards

Ruth

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Update posted by Lauren83 (the patient)

Thanks for your reply Ruth. I got home last night.

Again for yesterday lunch I was offered the only choice left - a chicken tikka sandwich. Not much use for a veggie. When I was in wishaw maternity ward, everything was pre-ordered, does this not happen at Monklands?

I know I probably sound like I'm just being fussy but the food I got really was rank. Nothing fresh to eat which really doesn't help aid recovery.

I'm also 6months pregnant and didn't get offered any food from 6pm (when I was sent up by doc on Monday) to 8am the following day.

It would also be really helpful if patients who a struggling to eat their food could be given a little more time to do so before their food is cleared away.

Sorry to sound so negative but I hope my comments can be used constructively.

Best wishes

Response from Ruth Thompson, Chief of Nursing Services, Monklands Hospital, NHS Lanarkshire 7 years ago
Ruth Thompson
Chief of Nursing Services, Monklands Hospital,
NHS Lanarkshire
Submitted on 16/06/2016 at 16:19
Published on Care Opinion at 16:23


picture of Ruth Thompson

Dear Lauren83

Thank you for coming back to me, I am pleased to learn you have been discharged home and I do hope you are recovering and you progress with your pregnancy with no further admissions to hospital.

I plan to share your posting with our site Food, Fluid & Nutrition group for nursing & catering staff to learn from your experience, which seems to me went from bad to worse. Within the hospital we have catering assistants who use I-Pads to record all patients meal requirements; this ensures patients receive a suitable meal and minimise waste. This has not happened in your case and we need to understand why.

Kind regards

Ruth

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