Enter and view: Barnet Hospital Meal time observations

Healthwatch Barnet conducted a series of Enter and View visits to Barnet Hospital to observe the support and food offered to patients at mealtimes in the following wards: Juniper; Larch; Olive; Walnut; Spruce; Willow.

Food and hydration is a key element in the recovery and wellbeing of patients and a key area in which Healthwatch should review the care and support to patients and to comment on good practice and to make suggestions and recommendations on ways to improve the whole experience for patients. Healthwatch Barnet had also been alerted to concerns raised by patients and residents about the care and support to patients at mealtimes.

While the individual wards received recommendations specific to them, there were a number of recommendations that appeared across most, if not all, wards.

The recommendation or observation made across all wards was about the Protected mealtime Protocols - they were not in place in all wards, but even where they were, Consultant/ Doctor rounds and medication rounds were noted as continuing which meant that people were not able to eat while their meals were still hot.

The recommendation across the wards about the quality of the Kosher and Halal meal options probably reflect the fact that these meals are provided by the same company.

Another recommendation common to most wards was ensuring that patients were aware of the tea and coffee facilities and how to access snacks and drinks between meals.

There was no provider response include within this report