Time for tea during Nutrition and Hydration Week
Wards across KGH held themed tea parties to celebrate national Nutrition and Hydration Week (March 11-17).
The Global Afternoon Tea events – on March 13 - had staff baking cakes and coming up with quirky ideas for themed parties.
The aim of the event – and the awareness week – was to increase understanding of the importance of good nutrition and hydration at all times for patients.
Fun themes included:
- Harry Potter – Poplar Ward
- Mary Poppins – Barnwell Wards
- Post War Time – Digestive Diseases Unit
- 1940s – Lamport and Twywell Wards
- Beach theme – Deene B
- Around the World – Harrowden A
- Flowers and Herbs - HC Pretty Wards
- The Healing Garden – Geddington Ward
Nutrition Nurse Trish Williams said: “The aim of tea parties was to highlight the importance of snacks in the diet – particularly for patients who are unable to eat full meals as calories give energy which aids in recovery.
“Some of the ideas this year have just been amazing and staff have gone above and beyond what we expected.
“It was a fantastic day which was great fun for both patients and staff.”
Local wholesalers Brake Brothers Food Services, of the Telford Lodge Industrial Estate, gave the Trust 650 muffins so that all patients on our wards had a cake and a cup of tea. In addition staff made and bought many other cakes.
KGH also had a number of other initiatives during the week to promote nutrition and hydration.
These included:
- Mouthcare Monday – where staff were reminded of the importance of good mouthcare for patients to help achieve good nutrition – including the use of special gels
- Tuesday – Dietician Display on healthy eating in the hospital’s main reception
- Wednesday – the tea parties
- Thirsty Thursday – display in main reception
- Friday – Protected Meal Times - advice on the wards.