Bournemouth East MP, Tobias Ellwood, visited the Royal Bournemouth Hospital last week and praised the new meal ordering system used by patients.
Using Menumate bedside from Datasym running on bedside entertainment systems, patients select their meal from a daily menu and can even change their mind and update their choice. All choices have nutritional information attached so that individuals are aware of what exactly is in their food.
The meals are then freshly prepared in the kitchen, individually plated and delivered to the wards on heated trollies with the dedicated team able to plate on average 600 meals, within 60 minutes.
The system allows patients to choose from specialist menus such as gluten free or kosher and also caters for patients with specific needs, for example those who require assistance with eating or drinking.
Tobias said: “The system makes it simpler for both patients and the hospital to ensure the correct food is ordered, cooked and dispatched, saving the tax payer thousands of pounds. I hope other hospitals will follow Bournemouth’s example.”
A report also alerts catering staff to any gaps in the patient’s choice, such as lack of protein, or lack of ordering completely, so ward staff can follow this up to ensure that every patient is getting the nutrition they need, every day.
Furthermore, wastage is avoided as food can be produced based on what has been ordered using the previous week’s figures as a guide.
Andy Whittingham, Catering Manager at RBH, said: “Food is paramount to our patients’ recovery and the new system gives each individual greater control over their own diet while away from home.”
The Trust is proud of the partnership it has developed with Hospedia and is continually working to improve the system for meal ordering.
For further information call Datasym on 0844 870 9206 or email sales@datasym.co.uk
