30 January 2012
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust is about to launch a new protected mealtime service to its wards.
Members of the Trust Board have given their backing to the service, which will allow ward staff to focus on getting meals to patients as quickly as possible and provide help for those who need it.
A vital part of the care we provide to our patients is making sure they are getting the right nutrition and hydration to support their recovery. Better nutrition and hydration means better healing, recovery and length of stay in hospital.
From 6 February 2012 protected mealtimes will provide periods of time over breakfast, lunch and supper where all non-urgent activity on the ward will stop. This is to prevent unnecessary interruptions to mealtimes and enable nurses, housekeepers and healthcare assistants to be able to help serve food and provide assistance to those who need it.
New signs will be placed at the entrances to wards to indicate when a protected mealtime is taking place. During these times we would ask visitors, including staff who are not routinely on wards during mealtimes, to respect this and visit at another time. People that normally visit at mealtimes in order to help or encourage a relative or friend to eat are still welcome to continue doing this.
Vicky Morris, Chief Nurse and Director of Quality and Safety at the Trust, said: “By introducing protected mealtimes we will be helping our ward staff to focus on getting patients their meals as quickly as possible, and to provide help to those who need it.
“It will also make it easier for staff to make sure patients are getting the right amount of food and drink. Getting this right is such an important part of helping our patients to get better more quickly and providing people with the best possible experience when they are admitted to our hospitals.”
As well as making sure patients are getting the right food, drink and support they need at mealtimes, this initiative will also focus on providing the right kind or calm and relaxing environment for them as well.
Once the new protected mealtime service has been launched we will continually be speaking to our patients and staff to make sure we are providing them with the quality of care and support they expect and deserve.