Nutritional experts say hospital food ticks all the right boxes

Diabetes and catering dietician and educator Helen Davies: "Food and drink is the most basic medicine for the body, particularly for hospital patients recovering from illness or surgery. "I am personally involved with helping to analyse all dishes offered to our patients, including special diet menus, snacks and beverages to ensure we are adhering to strict nutritional criteria set by our dietetics department. "We liaise closely with Lifespan Catering Services whenever we feel there is an opportunity to expand our menu choices and ensure that we can offer all patients, regardless of their special dietary needs, excellent choice at point of service." Over the past two years, a dedicated team from Patient Catering and Dietetics at Addenbrooke's Hospital have been working closely with Lifespan Catering Services from Fulbourn to ensure patients receive healthy, nutritious and tasty meals. Lifespan Catering Services is part of the NHS shared services provider Anglia Support Partnership and prepares and produces around 24,000 portions of hospital food every single day – much of which is delivered to Addenbrooke's Hospital. The team, under the leadership of head of catering services Trevor Colcomb, provides a complete meal service from hot 'cook chill' meals to sandwiches and even cheese and biscuits. Recent developments include: Responding to the cardiology dietician's request for the more oily fish dishes with Omega 3 content. Lifespan Catering Services produced several options including Salmon Portuguese, fresh tuna pasta bake and chickpea salad which are now benefitting heart patients. The trial production of a range of spicy and flavoursome dishes for cancer patients who have lost their sense of taste as a result of treatment has been a success, following a request from the haematology dietician. Putting together child-friendly pureed dishes for young patients with cleft palette or who have had an operation on their mouth or throat. Lifespan Catering Services came up with options including pureed pots of fish pie, shepherds pie and beef casserole. All met with approval from the paediatric dieticians and play specialists. A review of the missed meal service to ensure that everyone has access to hot food and drink 24 hours a day through a range of plated hot meals, including an all day breakfast and a patient favourite – chicken tikka masala. Trevor said: "We work very closely with the dietetic experts, and every portion of food we produce fulfils the nutritional or special dietary requirements we are given. It is a pleasure to know that our food is not only being enjoyed by hospital patients, but helping them on their road to recovery." Helen added: "Unfortunately, with so much negative press that surrounds hospital food, we face an ongoing battle against preconceived ideas the public have about the food service in hospital. "However, with a dedicated team of dieticians, caterers and collaboration with our patients on a regular basis, the patients can be confident that the food they receive is balanced, nutritious and tailored to their individual needs wherever possible."