CALLS HAVE BEEN made by a Labour TD for a national standard to be set on hospital food.
Ciara Conway, vice chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, said that the issue had come to her attention after a constituent came to her with a complaint about the food in University Hospital Waterford.
The child had been suffering from pneumonia and was being treated in the pediatric ward of the hospital. The child had been served chips along with white bread and butter on a daily basis.
University Hospital Waterford have since made changes in the menu served to patients.
Replying to a parliamentary question posed by Conway about the situation in University Hospital Waterford, Health Minister Leo Varadkar, said:
“A menu card system has been agreed and will be introduced for the Paediatric Ward so that the older children and parents can be aware of what choices are on offer on a daily basis. The menu includes fresh fruit, salads, yogurts and other healthy food options.”
Speaking to TheJournal.ie Conway added:
“What is important is that there are good communications between patients and staff. People should know that there are choices there.”
When the health committee resumes it is something that I am going to raise. If Waterford has been successful in implementing the changes, I don’t see why other places can’t.
In January 2013, it was found that sausage rolls and wedges were being served at the Coombe Woman and Infants University Hospital. Speaking to TheJournal.ie at the time, a spokesperson from Coombe, said:
“The hospital prepares and serves food for our patients in accordance with the Department of Health guidelines on ‘Food and Nutritional Care in Hospitals‘. Patients are offered a healthier option at each meal time, usually a salad.”
The query prompted a review of the food at the hospital which lead to the menu being overhauled.
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