18 May 2018
New patient pantry opened thanks to local charity
A new patient pantry has been opened on A900, thanks to the
generosity of the Ian Ritchie Foundation.
There are many young patients on A900 who need to be admitted
for management of cystic fibrosis or inflammatory bowel
disease. Nutrition is vitally important for this group of
patients and is often integral to their treatment.
Some of these young people are in hospital for two weeks every
two to three months and having access to foods that they are
familiar with and enjoy eating makes it much easier to meet their
nutritional needs.
'The Pantry' came about following a patient survey conducted by
the CF dieticians. Patient's feedback was that they would like a
microwave to heat ready meals and greater flexibility to have hot
drinks and snacks. One of the patients commented"It would
reduce feelings of being cut off from normal routines and would
allow more flexibility of eating times, as we're sometimes not very
awake/ hungry at meal times."
Julie Al-Siaidi, cystic fibrosis dietician, said: "Many people
with cystic fibrosis have unusually high energy requirements and we
hope having greater access to meals and snacks will help meet their
needs.
"The pantry will also allow the patients with inflammatory bowel
disease, who are often on very restricted diets to access a wider
range of foods at times to suit them, which the hospital catering
service is not always able to provide.
Sarah Beech, ward sister for A900 said: "The Ian Ritchie
Foundation has been very generous in funding the pantry as they
want to make life easier for cystic fibrosis patients in
hospital."
Caroline Ritchie, Ian's sister, said:
"The Ian Ritchie Foundation is thoroughly delighted to be a part
of this great project.
"We work hard raising vital funds to support CF patients under
the care of the Bristol Royal infirmary and recognise what a
crucial role diet and nutrition plays in managing the
condition.
"Working closely with ward sister Sarah Beech, we have been able
to create a wonderful space in which patients can now safely store
and prepare their foods and drinks.
"With the patients in mind, we wanted the pantry to provide a
homely feel, rather than a clinical one.
"We would like to say thank you to Sarah, Julie & Michala
Muashindange for supporting this project, and the public who
continue to support us and without whom we would be able to fund
such facilities in memory of our own cystic fibrosis fighter, Ian
Ritchie."
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