Harms Free Care Leaflet: Mealtimes Matter - Protected and Supported Mealtimes

Leaflet Details

Patient Information

Introduction

Protected mealtimes are designed to make eating as easy and enjoyable as possible. During these times, we limit interruptions so you can focus on your meal in a calm and relaxed setting. Our staff are also available to give extra help to anyone who needs support with eating or drinking.

Eating and drinking well is an important part of your recovery. Nutritious meals can only help your recovery if you’re able to enjoy and finish them, so we want to support you to achieve this.

Key Points

• When you come into hospital, we will ask about your dietary needs, food preferences, and whether you need help with eating or drinking. It is important to share this information with the nursing staff so we can make sure your food and drinks are suitable for you.
   
• To help us provide the right support, we sometimes use coloured trays or jugs. These are a simple way for staff to see who may need extra help at mealtimes.
   
• Before mealtimes you will be asked to choose your meal from a menu. You will be told the meal is being served approximately 15 minutes beforehand. You will be offered support to use the toilet (if needed), a chance to wash your hands and the ward staff will tidy your table ready for the meal.
   
• We will keep interruptions to the ward to a minimum during mealtimes.
   
• Nursing staff, healthcare support workers or volunteers will provide assistance during meal service. They are there to help, encourage and monitor your food and drink intake and ensure it is an enjoyable experience.
   
• Staff will ensure that you are positioned appropriately and safely.
   
• We encourage family or carers to visit during mealtimes to support you to eat and drink. Other visitors are restricted to allow you time to enjoy your meal uninterrupted. Visiting is restricted during this period, except for those carers that assist in feeding and supervising patients at mealtimes.
   
• Where possible you will not leave the ward for non-urgent investigations during mealtimes.
   
• Routine ward rounds will not take place during the protected mealtime; any exception will be due to an urgent patient need.
   
• Urgent and essential care will continue to be given but ward staff should not perform routine medicine rounds during the protected mealtimes.
   
• Nursing staff will complete food charts before the meal is cleared away to help us monitor your food and fluid intake.
   
• Every effort will be made to make mealtimes enjoyable, so you are able to focus on eating at your own pace and then rest afterwards.
   
• Sometimes it is important that you have a procedure or scan at a set time. If you have missed a meal for any reason, please talk to the nursing staff who will be able to arrange a hot meal, soup or sandwich for you.

Food and Beverage Service

• Fresh water will be provided in addition to a minimum of seven drinks rounds during the day. You will be offered a range of hot and cold drinks as well as snacks from the ward drinks trolley.
   
• Please also feel free to ask your relatives and friends to bring snacks for you which do not require re-heating or refrigerating. Food brought into the hospital need to be in a sealed package and purchased from a reputable supplier.

What can relatives or visitors do to help?

• If you are visiting a ward, please respect the ward’s protected mealtime and only visit during visiting times.
   
• If you normally visit at mealtimes to help your relative or friend eat, or just to give encouragement, we are happy for you to continue to do this. Please ask the nurse in charge how you can help. If possible, please try to avoid telephoning the ward, or your relative during these times so the staff can concentrate on helping the patients with their meal. Together we can make sure that all our patients are given the appropriate help and the required time to eat and enjoy their meals uninterrupted. This is important and will help them to recover more quickly.

Please speak to a member of the nursing team if you have any further questions.

For details of specific ward protected mealtimes speak to the ward nursing team.

Protected mealtimes will vary between wards

Meal service times are generally:

• Breakfast: 7.30 - 8.30am
   
• Lunch: 12:30 - 1:30pm
   
• Supper: 5:00 - 6:00pm

References

This patent information leaflet was developed with reference to material from Kings College London NHS Foundation Trust Mealtime Matters Leaflet (PL978.2 September 2021)