Hospital focuses on food and drink

York Hospital recently celebrated Nutrition and Hydration Week with a tea party to promote the importance of good nutrition and hydration to staff, patients and visitors.

Patients joined Patrick Crowley, the Chief Executive of York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, for tea and cakes as part of a week long programme of activities to highlight the ways the hospital works to achieve good nutrition and hydration.

Activities at York Hospital included, smoothie tasting, afternoon tea and cakes on the elderly wards, tasting of patient menus, catering department tours, softening food demonstrations, and promotion of the dining companion volunteering roles.

Libby McManus, Chief Nurse at York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are delighted to be participating once again in Patient Safety First's Nutrition and Hydration Week to raise awareness of our work in this important area.

"When you are in hospital food and drink is vital medicine and mealtimes are often the main focus of your day.

"Ensuring good nutrition and hydration is a fundamental part of caring properly for our patients. Poor nutrition and hydration leads to poor health, increased and prolonged hospital admissions, and more cost to the NHS.

"We want to raise awareness of how important good nutrition and hydration is with this national campaign however it doesn't stop there - it is something we are committed to for 52 weeks of the year both in our hospitals and out in the community. We are always looking at ways to improve patient care."

24 April 2013