Mr and Mrs Hunt enjoying tea and cake
Patients, visitors and staff at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust tried out new menus, danced and enjoyed tea and cake as part of a national week-long campaign to raise awareness of keeping well-nourished and hydrated.
During Nutrition and Hydration Week, the Trust encouraged patients, visitors and staff to ‘eat, drink and move’. The catering team held ‘Come Dine With Me’ style taster sessions across all three Trust hospitals – Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull – where visitors and staff tried patient meals. There is a wide range of meals available, including special menus such as halal, vegetarian and puree options and covering special dietary needs, such as gluten free.
Yvette Granville, Roy Pearce, Joan Lloyd and Eileen Fewkes
It can be difficult for patients to eat and drink enough when they feel ill and Trust staff are able to identify patients who need help to improve their nutritional intake when they are admitted to hospital. Eating and drinking little and often can help and patients are offered regular drinks and snacks, such as cakes, fresh fruit and yoghurts between meals to help provide all the nutrients they need. A new cake range has just been launched and includes individually wrapped cakes in chocolate brownie, cherry flapjack, carrot cake, fruit cake and lemon drizzle flavours.
Staff encouraged patients to get moving during the week too, with an old-fashioned vintage tea dance. Elderly patients enjoyed tea and cakes served in china cups at movie themed tables, includingthe Errol Flynn and Marilyn Monroe tables. Two dancers from Planet Dance School in Solihull volunteered their time for dancing demonstrations and teaching the patients the basics of ballroom dancing. Organ music was provided by Ted from the arts department.
Planet Dance demonstrate Latin dancing
Thanks to the generosity of patients, visitors and staff who bought raffle tickets during the week, the Trust raised over £700 which will be split between Dementia UK and equipment for therapists to use with patients at Heartlands Hospital. Prizes included a picnic basket, a bottle of champagne, wine, chocolates, candles and toiletries.
Helen Reilly, therapy lead for specialist therapy services at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, said: “When patients are in hospital, it’s really important that they have regular access to drinks and snacks. Good fluid intake reduces the risk of falls, confusion, headaches, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and pressure ulcers and pneumonia. Our staff have taken Nutrition and Hydration Week as an opportunity to encourage patients to keep moving and walk around more in hospital, which helps reduce these risks and promotes rehabilitation. Activity also improves appetite, social contact and well-being, which is great for patients.”
John Lawton
The team who organised the tea dance
