Yummy may not be the word that springs to mind when you think about hospital food but that was the verdict of pupils who had lunch at the infirmary yesterday.
Eleven youngsters from Granby Primary, in Aylestone, gave the thumbs up to meals at the Leicester Royal Infirmary after taking part in a taste test.
They had been recruited by managers to help overhaul the menu at the children's hospital.
Each was given a menu typical of those offered to child patients and asked for their views.
Ayomide Bejide, 10, of Hamilton, munched on sweet and sour chicken with mashed potato and mixed vegetables.
She said: "It is really yummy. I wouldn't mind it if I had to come into hospital."
She would have also put "soft chips and fish on the menu".
Classmate Xander Holmes, nine, from Leicester's West End, tucked in to a tasty ham salad.
He said: "It is very nice. If I had to come into hospital, I wouldn't mind having this meal."
Every child had a choice of hot, cold and vegetarian meals. Chocolate cake and custard proved the most popular pudding – and again, the pupils' verdict was "yummy".
They thought the food looked and tasted good and there was a good choice.
Sharon Corton, hospital housekeeper on the ward, which caters for 20 patients, said all the dishes were worked out by dieticians to ensure they had the right nutritional mix of vitamins and iron.
She said: "Each day, there is choice of four or five hot meals at lunch and supper time.
"This includes things such as roast lamb, cheese tortellini and chicken sticks.
"We do have chips a couple of times a week."
Yoghurt, fruit, ice creams and a hot pudding choice are available daily, along with sandwiches.
The menu sampling is just one of the ways children at the school have been helping with suggestions on how to improve life for children in hospital.
Children have already suggested getting bright pictures for a bare wall which links two wards.
Liz James, a matron at the hospital, said: "We have been working with the school and pupils of different ages since September and are hoping to extend this to other schools.
"It is helping us look at what we are providing and if it meets the needs of patients.
"For example, it has reinforced knowledge of the level of anxiety children feel coming into hospital and the need for us to explain to them what is happening and not just to their parents."
Geraldine Murphy, deputy head teacher at Granby, said: It's great to be involved in this project.
"Food tasting is a very small part of the work we are doing but it's great to be involved in this partnership."
 |  |
Pakistan cricket betting scandal Aston villa Noel Coward Stan Collymore Ethical and green living Children
Walang komento:
Mag-post ng isang Komento