Staff at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are promoting a global initiative this week to promote the importance of good nutrition and hydration.
Nutrition and Hydration Week is an annual, global event which aims to highlight, promote and celebrate improvements in the provision of nutrition and hydration. Staff at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals are promoting how patients and staff alike can improve their nutrition and hydration with creative activities across the hospitals.
Nutrition and Hydration Week commenced yesterday and staff across Lancashire Teaching Hospitals have already begun to promote the week across the hospitals. Staff on ward 15 at Preston held a Big Breakfast in the morning, ward 14 launched their hydration station, and ward 24 created Milky Monday with fruit smoothies for patients to try. Charters Restaurant at Preston Hospital is also offering free tastings of healthy food and drinks throughout the week.
Kelly Gates, Nursing Assistant Practitioner on ward 24 at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, said: “Good nutrition and hydration is
critical to improving health and outcomes for our patients. This annual event has grown over the years and now it is fantastic to see that almost every team at our hospitals gets involved with hydration stations and themed days to name a few activities.”
Gail Naylor, Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professional (AHP) Director at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, said: “I was overwhelmed by the efforts of our teams last year in promoting Nutrition and Hydration Week. I am confident that all of our teams will go above and beyond again in their efforts this year to raise awareness of this critical part of patient and staff care. We had brilliant feedback from our patients last year who enjoyed everything from fruit juices to fruit kebabs and more!”