Meals while in hospital

Information for inpatients

Mash, peas and chicken Kiev on plate with knife and fork

Our aim is to give you food that meets all your individual needs and which you enjoy.

Who will be looking after me?

Nursing staff will be making sure you receive the care and nutrition you need.

Nutrition assistants will look after you if you have any special dietary requirements. They will help you to order your meals and snacks and provide you with supplements if required. (Not available on all wards.)

Ward housekeepers will serve your meals, snacks and drinks. They may also hand you your menu and help you to order your food if a nutrition assistant is not available.

What to do before your meal

Before you eat a meal or snack please make sure you…

Clean your hands
Hand wipes will be brought to you by a member of staff before your meal arrives. Soap, water and hand gel will be available at all times on your ward. Please make sure you clean your hands before and after you eat.
Check your meal table is clean
Your meal table will be cleaned before and after you eat a meal or snack. Please make sure that it is clear and that the space around you is not cluttered so your meal table is accessible to staff for cleaning.

These actions are very important to help speed up your recovery.

Meal times

Meals will be served between the following times (these may vary between wards):

Breakfast: 8.00–9.00 am
Lunch: 12.00–1.00 pm
Evening meal: 5.00–6.00 pm

Treacle pudding with custard

Download menus

Ward menu

Ward menu - Cardiology

Ward menu - DME

Drinks

Drinks will be served with your meal and between the following times (these may vary between wards):

Mid morning: 10.00–10.30 am
Mid afternoon: 3.00–3.30 pm
Evening: 8.00–8.30 pm

Drinking plenty of water and fluids is essential to improve your body’s health. It is recommended that you should drink six to eight glasses of water a day for good health, so please ensure you regularly take little sips of water throughout the day, unless you have been advised otherwise to restrict your fluid intake.

What happens if I miss a meal?

If for any reason you were off the ward when the lunch or evening meals were served, we will offer you a hot (Light Bite) or cold option to make sure you receive the meal you missed. If you would like a meal from this service, please ask a member of your ward staff and they will collect one for you.

Hot option – light bites

If you would like a hot meal the following hot choices are available:

Roast beef meal
Roast turkey meal
Cottage pie
Lamb casserole
All day breakfast
Chicken tikka & rice
Cod in parsley sauce
Macaroni cheese
Cheese and tomato pasta
Vegetable risotto

Cold option

The cold option offers a small range of items. A selection of the following will be available:

A pack of sandwiches
A yoghurt
A piece of fresh fruit
A cake bar

The Light Bite and cold option are available 24 hours a day. If you would like one, please ask a member of staff.

Additional drinks and snacks
available 24 hours a day

Additional drinks and snacks are available 24 hours a day from the ward kitchen – please ask a member of staff if you would like any of these at any time of the day or night:

Cereals and porridge/Ready Brek
Wholemeal and white bread/toast
Marmalade, jam, butter, Marmite and margarine
Biscuits, cakes, fresh fruit, yoghurts and crackers with cheese
Hot drinks: tea, coffee, hot chocolate, malted milk drink and cup-a-soups
Cold drinks: fruit juices, water and regular or no added sugar squashes
Snacks are also available for a range of special diets

Bowl of fruit

Snacks are very important, especially if you are only managing small amounts of your main meal.

Visitors are allowed to bring you snacks and drinks during your stay – please discuss this with the ward staff and they will tell you where you can store it.

> Special dietary requirements

> Lifestyle and ethnic diets

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