Quote “Eating is not merely a material pleasure. Eating well gives a spectacular joy to life and contributes immensely to goodwill and happy companionship. It is of great importance to the morale” Elsa Schiaparelli, 1890-1973

Food For Thought Up to 40% of all patients admitted to hospital may be undernourished Food and nutrition are vital aspects of care Mealtimes are a highlight of the patient’s day Protecting mealtimes allows us to make them special for patients More food eaten = better nourished patients = fewer complications

Eating Environments The eating environment is as important as the food and the patient and warrants as much attention

What Are Protected Mealtimes? A calm atmosphere where the main focus is on serving appetising meals and providing patients with uninterrupted time to eat and enjoy a vital part of their treatment – their food

Key Principles Staff focus their attention on making the mealtime a success Anything that supports and assists patients to eat is encouraged Anything that interferes with the meal and reduces the amount eaten is discouraged

Making It Happen Identify key stakeholders Engage top level support Involve ward team in observational audit of mealtimes What changes need to happen on consideration of audit results?

Making It Happen Discuss practicalities. What can change (e.g. times of ward rounds, routine drug rounds, visiting times)? Communicate with multi-professional team and share findings and plan Ensuring patients eat their meal is the responsibility of the whole healthcare team

Making It Happen Be clear about the benefits to patients Liaise with other departments eg. phlebotomy, facilities, catering If other wards are to introduce Protected Mealtimes, may need to consider phased introduction or staggered mealtimes

Making It Happen Once agreement reached with all staff involved decide when you are going to start – Avoid a traditionally busy day to start What information will you provide for patients, staff, visitors & other departments?

Reality Check Be realistic – things will not change overnight. Relatives will turn up, ward rounds will run late and emergencies will happen. Be prepared to accept things that happen and try again next mealtime

Persist Persist – review Protected Mealtimes with staff regularly Work at resolving obstacles and barriers. Be consistent in providing positive feedback when it works well.

Providing The Evidence Repeat the observational audit and communicate the improvements Has patient satisfaction improved? Is more food eaten? Is less food wasted? Has staff satisfaction improved?

Closing Thought “If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health” Hippocrates

Info For more information, or a copy of the Protected Mealtimes CD-ROM/video, please contact: Better Hospital Food NHS Estates 1 Trevelyan Square Leeds LS21 6AE betterhospitalfood@doh.gsi.gov.uk