Campaigns & issues

Older patients must be given appropriate assistance to eat meals when needed and sufficient time to eat their meals.

The health service should be organised around the needs of patients rather than the needs of professionals. Therefore, all non-urgent activity – such as ward and drug rounds, tests, etc. – should not be allowed to happen during mealtimes.

This allows patients to eat their meals without being interrupted by other activity and gives ward staff the time needed to
help those who need help eating.

Fairfield General Hospital, run by Pennine Acute Trust, piloted ‘protected mealtimes’ in 2005. Hospital staff received a very positive response from patients who felt that the ward had become “a pleasant and relaxed area for eating” since the pilot began. The majority of patients also said they would prefer mealtimes not to coincide with visiting times.

Healthcare support worker Judith Torley:

“Patients definitely benefit from protected mealtimes nutritionally because it encourages them to eat more and to interact better with the other patients whilst visitors aren’t there.”

Pam Stansfield, head of catering for Pennine Acute Trust:

“A good diet – and time to enjoy the food – is very important in helping patients recover. Protected mealtimes give patients the chanceto make more of their meals, which in turn also helps cut waste – so it’s win-win for patients and the hospitals alike.”

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