Catering for patients
We recognise the nutritional value of food in the treatment of patients. Good nutrition is extremely important in a patient’s recovery. At Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, we work closely with the Trust’s chief dietician to develop menus that help patients choose the right food for their individual needs.
Our Essential Goodness food service has been designed to give patients greater choice and variety in their food, and make a real difference to the hospital experience and recovery by:
- giving patients greater choice by updating menu choices regularly, and providing seasonal options
- using symbols to highlight options that are healthy, high energy and part of your ‘five fruit and vegetables a day’, as well as soft and vegetarian options
- including specialist à la carte menus for patients with specific dietary requirements, including Halal, Kosher, gluten-free, low potassium, puree and vegetarian puree options
- essential Goodness branding across catering staff uniforms, trolleys, crockery and cutlery so that inpatient catering services are clearly recognised, and
- creating interest and excitement about food, and eliminating stereotyped perceptions of hospital food.
Providing a wide choice of nutritious, appetising meals and snacks for different cultures, dietary requirements and tastes, improves the hospital experience, helps patients recover quicker and reduces the amount of time they have to spend in hospital.
We make a difference to the wellbeing of your patients’ with sustainable, community-focused initiatives
In addition to our catering services, we work on specific projects with healthcare trusts, such as growing herbs and vegetables, with patient input where possible. At Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, we support Red Rose Corporate Services' (RRCS) ‘Grow Your Own’ project, growing organic seasonal produce which is used to create fresh meals for patients and staff. This has reduced transportation and supply chain costs for the Trust and introduced a greater variety of fresh, seasonal and organic produce into menus.
The Trust provides long-term care for mental health patients, who have the opportunity to help grow, nurture and harvest the produce. This offers therapeutic benefits to patients as part of their care rehabilitation pathway. It supports recovery and rehabilitation by empowering patients, developing their skills and encouraging mental and physical health and wellbeing by maintaining active and healthy lifestyles.
The ‘Grow Your Own’ project also helps the Trust minimise the environmental impacts of its operations by creating a sustainable supply of fresh food, minimising waste, reducing food miles and carbon emissions.
Patient, staff and visitor restaurants and cafes
We also take care of on site catering for healthcare professionals and visitors. Our cafes and restaurants offer a range of meal and snack options. We serve tasty meals and snacks in our staff catering outlets. We operate 24/7, offering the hospital workforce variety and healthy choices to maintain energy and concentration throughout their shifts.
Retreat is our onsite visitor cafe, offering a variety of drinks and hot and cold food to eat in or take out including; breakfasts, sandwiches, paninis, wraps, salads, soups, quiches, jacket potatoes, fruit and sweet and savoury snacks.
We’re here to help make life easier. Our on site retail outlets offer a range of everyday essentials for patients, visitors and staff. We also partner with high-street brands to provide convenient services such as WHSmiths, Costa Coffee and M&S ‘Food to go’.
Many hospitals and healthcare centres are supported by external services. We work with the people that already have a presence on site, including charities who manage shops and trolley services, to ensure you get the best possible services.
Our catering services are an integral part of the patient’s recovery plan and staff and visitors’ wellbeing.