Patients at Ross Community Hospital will soon be invited to share afternoon tea with dieticians so that they can learn more about good nutrition and hydration.

Patients at Hereford County Hospital took part in an afternoon tea event, on Wednesday March 14th, to mark Nutrition and Hydration Week 2018.

This is a national event aimed at raising awareness of the fact that good nutrition and hydration is just as important as medication for some patients.

Sarah Harding, Head of Dietetics at Wye Valley NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted to take part in the Nutrition and Hydration Week to raise awareness that good nutrition and hydration are fundamental to every patient’s health and wellbeing and to help patients get better more quickly for those recovering from procedures or illnesses.

“This year’s awareness week also marked the first swallowing awareness day, on March 14, which is about how eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) can affect people’s lives.

“Our dietitians work closely with Trust staff to ensure that we offer patients nutritionally balanced food choices and encourage good hydration, and we work with speech and language therapists to support patients who have swallowing difficulties.

“We advise patients that the body needs the proper nutrients to grow, heal and repair itself, which includes eating starchy foods, some milk and dairy foods, foods high in protein and fruit and vegetables as part of a well-balanced diet, but it’s okay to have the occasional treat, such as cakes, with a hydrating cup of tea.”

“We will also be visiting the community hospitals at Ross-on-Wye, Leominster and Bromyard, as part of this awareness campaign”.

Johnny Powell, patient on Wye Ward, said: “This is a great idea – the cake is lovely. I’m really enjoying it and our Tuesday lunch sessions in the restaurant are really helping my recovery”.

The event was hosted jointly by the Trust and Sodexo. Tim Egleton, Sodexo operations manager for catering and retail at Hereford County Hospital, said: “It’s the fourth year that Sodexo has supported the Trust with this Afternoon Tea event and our staff members have enjoyed taking part.

“This event is an excellent opportunity to highlight the importance of patients eating healthy at home before and after they come into hospital, as well as during their stay with us”.

To find out more about Nutrition and Hydration Week visit www.nutritionandhydrationweek.co.uk or visit NHS Choices healthy eating www.nhs.uk/livewell/healthy-eating