NHS Lanarkshire has made further improvements to the provision of patient catering.

Inpatients across the three acute hospitals are now offered an afternoon snack of tea and biscuits so that they can have something to eat between lunch and dinner.

Frances Dodd, divisional nurse director for the acute division, said: “We are committed to providing high-quality, food, fluid and nutritional care to all our patients.

“We have been speaking to patients to find out what they would like and the introduction of tea and reflects this feedback.”

NHS Lanarkshire recognises the importance and value of effective nutritional care and hydration as an essential part of clinical care, and recognises that it is an integral part of the work of many staff disciplines.

The second snack was piloted in a number of wards and was widely appreciated by patients. It has since been rolled out across the three acute hospitals.

Frances, who chairs the NHS Lanarkshire food, fluid and nutrition steering group, added: “A good meal time experience require involvement of a range of staff, clinical and non-clinical, such as catering, domestic staff, medical, nursing, allied health professional, portering and managerial staff.

“We have been working closely with our own catering staff and the catering staff of our partners, ISS at Hairmyres and Serco at Wishaw, to ensure that patients see a real difference to their experience of hospital food.

“We will continue to work with our service providers, dieticians and patient representatives to monitor nutritional standards, quality and patient satisfaction.”