The Trust has a legal obligation to comply with the
requirements of the Food Safety Act 1990 and associated legislation
relating to the composition, labelling, safety, handling, control
and hygiene of food.
The patients' meals we serve every day are carefully prepared
and designed to offer patients a healthy balanced diet of set
selected menus with a range of hot and cold food and drinks.
Patients are encouraged to select a healthy and safe food choice
with appropriate advice given where required by dieticians.
We therefore have an obligation to ensure that any foods
brought into the hospitals are suitable and do not include any
illicit or unauthorised items. This helps us to prevent or
reduce the risk of infection, food poisoning and food borne
illnesses and unwanted interaction with prescribed
medication.
Any food brought in should be suitable for the dietary
needs of the patient. Please help us to help patients by
only bringing in food that contributes to a healthy balanced diet.
Any advice regarding the suitability of foods can be obtained from
the Nurse in Charge or dietician.
- On arrival at the ward all food gifts should be declared. An
appropriately trained nurse will check to see if the
food is suitable for the patient and check containers and
labelling.
- All packaging must be intact with the use by or best before
date not exceeded. Only food that has been sealed by the
manufacturer using heat seals, tamperproof lids and bottle tops
will be allowed. Home produced items and goods sealed only with a
sticker will not be allowed.
Guidelines to reduce the risk associated with food brought into
the hospitals are identified below:
Permitted foods
These foods CAN be brought in |
Prohibited foods
These foods CANNOT be brought in as
they may support the growth of pathogenic bacteria |
Wrapped fresh fruit and fruit products
Dried fruit tubs of pre-packed fruit |
Raw meat or fish, cooked meat and poultry, fresh meat products
e.g. gravy, soups and stock |
| Pre-packed muffins, tea cakes, pancakes, scones or
similar |
Fresh or artificial cream products e.g. custards, yoghurts,
mousse, cakes and ice cream |
| Pre-wrapped nuts and seeds (provided the patient does not have
any related allergies) |
Pre-wrapped sandwiches (all fillings) |
| Pre-wrapped biscuits, crackers and cakes (not fresh or
artificial cream) |
Items with added alcohol e.g. chocolate liqueurs, stollen and
similar festive foods |
| Pre-wrapped chocolate or sweets |
Pick 'n' mix |
| Packets of crisps (individual packets), popcorn,
pretzels |
Full boxes of crisps or multi-packs |
Bottled drinks (plastic only) e.g. squashes or carbonates
Small quantities of fruit juice or smoothies |
Large cartons of fruit juice, grapefruit juice (which can
interact with some prescribed medication), milkshakes |
| Preserves e.g. jam, marmalade, honey, marmite, bovril (in small
plastic jars) |
Any other food item which requires refridgeration or heating
e.g. pies, pasties, sausage rolls, cheese, eggs, scotch eggs
Take-away meals including pizzas, beefburgers and kebabs |
