2. Quote
“Eating is not merely a material pleasure. Eating well gives a spectacular joy to life and contributes immensely to goodwill and happy companionship. It is of great importance to the morale”
Elsa Schiaparelli,

3. Food For Thought
Up to 40% of all patients admitted to hospital may be undernourished
Food and nutrition are vital aspects of care
Mealtimes are a highlight of the patient’s day
Protecting mealtimes allows us to make them special for patients
More food eaten = better nourished patients = fewer complications

4. Eating Environments
The eating environment is as important as the food and the patient and warrants as much attention

5. What Are Protected Mealtimes?
A calm atmosphere where the main focus is on serving appetising meals and providing patients with uninterrupted time to eat and enjoy a vital part of their treatment – their food

6. Key Principles
Staff focus their attention on making the mealtime a success
Anything that supports and assists patients to eat is encouraged
Anything that interferes with the meal and reduces the amount eaten is discouraged

7. Making It Happen
Identify key stakeholders
Engage top level support
Involve ward team in observational audit of mealtimes
What changes need to happen on consideration of audit results?

8. Making It Happen
Discuss practicalities. What can change (e.g. times of ward rounds, routine drug rounds, visiting times)?
Communicate with multi-professional team and share findings and plan
Ensuring patients eat their meal is the responsibility of the whole healthcare team

9. Making It Happen
Be clear about the benefits to patients
Liaise with other departments eg. phlebotomy, facilities, catering
If other wards are to introduce Protected Mealtimes, may need to consider phased introduction or staggered mealtimes

10. Making It Happen
Once agreement reached with all staff involved decide when you are going to start – Avoid a traditionally busy day to start
What information will you provide for patients, staff, visitors & other departments?

11. Reality Check
Be realistic – things will not change overnight. Relatives will turn up, ward rounds will run late and emergencies will happen. Be prepared to accept things that happen and try again next mealtime

12. Persist
Persist – review Protected Mealtimes with staff regularly
Work at resolving obstacles and barriers.
Be consistent in providing positive feedback when it works well.

13. Providing The Evidence
Repeat the observational audit and communicate the improvements
Has patient satisfaction improved?
Is more food eaten?
Is less food wasted?
Has staff satisfaction improved?

14. Closing Thought
“If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health”
Hippocrates

15. Info
For more information, or a copy of the Protected Mealtimes CD-ROM/video, please contact:
Better Hospital Food
NHS Estates
1 Trevelyan Square
Leeds
LS21 6AE