Nottinghamshire residents are being asked to share suggestions for patient meals at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust.
Residents can suggest their favourite local meals, ones from their childhood or something they always eat when they are feeling ill.
The Trust first launched its new menu, known as the ‘Memory Menu’ in 2018 to encourage patients to tuck in and help with their recovery, as well as helping older people eat well.
The menu replaced the ordinary hospital mealtime menu for patients on hospital wards and has since won a string of awards including the Patient Experience Network National Awards, as well as being shortlisted for many others.
Nicola Strawther, Chief Dietetic & Catering Technician said:
“We started this initiative in Nottingham and it has since been echoed across other Trusts who have now taken similar approaches to gain more input to what goes into their menus.
“For me, this has been hugely impactful with how important the voice of the patient is when it comes to hospital food.
“Food can often be the highlight of the day when in hospital, we want to serve what people like.
“Food and drinks are essential for a person’s physical and mental health so shouldn’t be underestimated.”
Paul Hemsley, 81, from Sandiacre said “The meals are really good and there is always plenty of choice. It’s hard to make a decision sometimes because there is so much to choose from. I love the beef, pork and sausages and I’m a devil for the fruit puddings!”
Nottingham University Hospitals serves 5,500 meals each day to patients on wards and these are created using fresh local ingredients.
Sue Austin, Food Production Manager said:
“We want to see suggestions for dishes that the Nottingham public would like to see on our menu.
“Food picked by the people of Nottingham for the people of Nottingham.
“This can be anything from an old favourite to something new and trending.
“Our roast dinners, chicken curries, fish and chips, and lasagnas remain the favourites, closely followed by our fish pies and pasta dishes.
“Our vegan plant-based dishes have also proved very popular with uptake increasing more than 200% since we launched this option.”
To get involved and share your memory menu suggestion, email NUH.Communications@nuh.nhs.uk or share on social media using the hashtag #nuhmemorymenu