New menus for patients for Nutrition and Hydration Week

As part of the worldwide Nutrition and Hydration Week 2015 starting Monday 16 March, new meal menus, developed for and by patients and staff, are being launched across hospital sites in County Durham and Darlington.

In consultation with patients and staff, the new lunch and evening meal menus have been carefully developed to provide healthy, balanced and varied meal options. With the majority of ingredients sourced locally, all meals are freshly produced on site in the Darlington Memorial Hospital kitchens, and delivered daily to the Trust's hospitals across the county.

Alison McCree, associate director of facilities for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said, "Good nutritious food and regular drinks are an important part of patient care, recovery and experience, and these new menus have been developed to meet patient needs. We've listened to patient and staff feedback, and will continue to improve our standards and services."

Nutrition and Hydration Week 2015 is a collaboration between the Hospital Caterers Association (HCA), National Association of Care Catering (NACC) and the NHS Patient Safety First initiative, and involves health, care and catering organisations across the world.

On Wednesday 18 March, the Trust is hosting an afternoon tea party in Hollies restaurant at Darlington Memorial Hospital in partnership with Age Concern, and will also be serving cream scones and a cup of tea to all of our patients across all of our sites.