SHAUN LOWTHORPE Patients at Norfolk's flagship hospital are failing to grasp what is on the menu at mealtimes and the heating and serving of food on the wards is inconsistent, a survey has found.

SHAUN LOWTHORPE

Patients at Norfolk's flagship hospital are failing to grasp what is on the menu at mealtimes and the heating and serving of food on the wards is inconsistent, a survey has found.

The Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital Patient & Public Involvement Forum's research into patient and visitor views on hospital food revealed a wide variation in responses.

The forum said the quality of food arriving from the suppliers, Anglia Crown, in Colchester, met all NHS nutritional and quality standards.

"However from that point on, the distribution, heating and serving of food is not consistent from ward to ward or patient to patient," the report said.

Older patients also wanted a list of basic ingredients included to give them a better idea of what to expect from dishes like moussaka.

"When menus were in lockers, patients were not aware of this and consequently had no idea of menu options until the trolley arrived at mealtimes," it added. "There were many instances when patients said that there were insufficient choice options left by the time the trolley reached them."

Other issues included a lack of awareness about specific dietary requirements, and a need to improve communication skills between ward hosts, patients and medical staff; presentation of food, and letting patients know that biscuits and drinks were available between mealtimes.

A public meeting about the forum's food report will be held at Norwich's Assembly House on Thursday, November 16, at 2pm.