When in hospital, why I am expected to eat the meal ordered by the previous patient?

Hospital notices and leaflets stress the importance of nutrition to aid recovery, the menus have vegetarian, diabetic, halal and kosher options and meals designed for African, Asian and Caribbean patients, and the endless forms I had to fill in had questions about dietary requirements. I also told my nurse that I don't eat meat.

Yet, after a day of 'nil by mouth' I am eventually brought a chicken meal which I have to refuse. An hour later I go out to see if I will get anything to eat and find I am not the only one. They are having great difficulty finding anything suitable for a woman with wheat intolerance.

Surgical wards nowadays have such quick turnover, treating patients and sending them home next day, yet they still have a system where menus have to be chosen the day before.

Surely there should be better provision for patients who have particular dietary requirements? Is it acceptable to subject patients to this extra stress when they have just had surgery?

Have you experienced a similar problem when in hospital? I would also love to hear the views of health professionals and hospital caterers.

How would you improve the system?

Yep - and I have rotten food allergies (tongue swells etc). I found myself in the same situation as you when I was rushed to hospital a few years ago and by the time i could eat the following evening I couldnt have what was ordered by the previous patient. They couldnt fix me up something else as the caterers had closed the kitchen so I had to make do with a cup of tea. Was starving on top of being in serious pain and suffering all the stress of being in hospital etc. Nightmare.

That doesnt sound right

You seem to be under the impression you are in hospital for your benefit?...you are not.

You are there to fit in with the requirements of the staff, now eat your chicken and be quiet!

take your own in, have you not heard of takeaways as well.

Hospital food a nightmare,,,,,,has another person said,,,get someone to take some food in for you,,,,,Your there for your Health,,Not to get Poisoned,,,,

Quite disgraceful but do what i do ,write to you local paper ,usually readers letters ,and let others read about your complaint . I love to read the follow up from others ,also write and keep writing to the hospital and complain,complain,complain

yes, i have & have refused to eat what they've brought me.
a beef dinner is not suitable for a vegetarian!
so i sympathise i've been there too, lovey.
i almost felt like throwing it at the housekeeping-staff as it made me feel really, really ill.
now the hospital give you a menu for that day & it hasn't happened since.
but veggie food in hospital is still bad & below par, isn't it?
& while i'm on the subject of hospital food, after day surgery i was asked to eat, before i left.
i was offered toast, which i declined,
i do not eat white bread, it's bad for you;
The WVS cafe sell brown bread sandwiches but the nursing staff couldn't find me a single slice of brown bread
& as an alternative i was offered biscuits,
which are also bad for you.
i left the unit in the end without eating anything & very stressed.
all very slack!

It has been the same for years and doubt there will be a change in next 10 years. I was left once for 36 hours in a side room after C section when I should have been eating to provide milk etc. other than husband bringing food in I would have had nothing. Yes I did kick my heels. I have seen elderly patients have food brought to them and it left on tray at foot of their beds but they cant access it. The ones that can cant cut up the food so by the time they want trays back they just take it away and these poor patients literally get starved in hospital and are weak. The kitchen staff work on the proviso that any food (I use this term loosely) ordered will be accepted and better than nothing. This may be for just 2 meals. THEN you get to order what you would like, should you leave next day then the poor patient who occupies your bed will have to make do with vegetarian option. (Mind you I find this option far palletable in hospital). Not ideal. MOst wards have microwave in relatives kitchen area and they encourage you to take own stuff in. You or relative may need to ask where it is. alescent homes Bring back the old style convalescent homes then the nurses wouldn't have to work at full pelt all the time. This surely takes it toll on them too. It's intensive nursing all day everyday these days - not good for anyone.

I hear you. :)
I worked on a hospital ward for a short while, and the meals were a nightmare to organise! I felt really sorry for all the people who had to eat this nasty soup - from a grey rubber bowl, no less! :P
Hopefuly this will get sorted out at some point ... I felt embarrased serving the patients their meals, most of which had been ordered by a previous patient.