Nottinghamshire residents are again being asked to tell us here at Nottingham University Hospitals what their favourite meals are, to help inform the next leg of our NUH Memory Menu.
Earlier this year Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust launched its first ever ‘Memory Menu’ to encourage patients to tuck in and help with their recovery, as well as helping older people eat well. This menu replaced the previous hospital mealtime menu for patients on our hospital wards. The Memory Menu was presented at the HCA National Leadership & Development Forum 2018 and we were delighted that Jonathan Ashworth MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health visited Nottingham University Hospital in the week of the Forum and praised our Memory Menu at the event during his keynote speech.
The concept is really simple and is a fantastic example of the power of 4 (patients, nursing, dietetics and catering). We just ask the public of Nottingham to tell us what dishes would tempt them to eat when they feel poorly and it is a really wonderful way to engage with those who use our services. From feedback last year it was clear that comforting dishes, often dishes that were eaten during childhood or local dishes, were incredibly popular rather than some more modern dishes. Popular suggestions included traditional roast dinners, stew and dumplings, pies and soups alongside comforting puddings including sponge and custard, fruit crumbles and pies and a Nottingham favourite, cornflake tart. Our current Memory Menu contains over 50% of dishes chosen by the public of Nottingham and these are highlighted by a clear ‘memory menu’ logo.
One in three people admitted to hospital is malnourished and just the process of being in hospital can affect a persons’ appetite so making sure patients have tempting menu choices is an important part our strategy to ensure patients are able to keep well nourished during their recovery. It also helps them avoid losing any of their mobility and independence, which is important in helping them go home sooner.
Nottingham University Hospitals serves 1,800 meals each day to patients on wards and these are created using fresh local ingredients with 77% of its raw ingredient spend going on local ingredients – meat, fresh produce, bakery products and milk are all sourced from within the local region or adjacent county.. Chris Neal, our Head of Catering at NUH said: “The Memory Menu is designed by patients for patients and I am passionate about the work we have done here since launching as it really makes a difference to helping promote better recovery for patients. If people like what they are eating and are given some options in choosing what is on offer it will help. Nutrition is the main form of medicine - if patients are eating well it can help them with their recovery.”
We are currently asking for public feedback again so we can ensure our memory menu continues to reflect the preferences of the public who use our services. We have been asking patients, visitors and staff for feedback over the last few weeks and we are making sure we do everything we can to ensure we get feedback that is representative of our public including targeted work to ensure feedback from carers of people living with dementia, our culturally diverse population and those with learning disabilities. Feedback is being gained via face to face discussion, feedback forms, local media and via Twitter using the hashtag #NUHmemorymenu.
