Are you interested in a hack for your next hospital stay? Share it with family and friends to help them navigate hospital meals and food choices. It is a true hospital hack and best kept secret that hospitals do not want you to know.
Top Hospital Tip: Ask To See The Dietician
One of the benefits of self referring to see the dietician is to expand your hospital meals and food choices beyond the set menu.
What Food Is Served In Hospital?
If you have been in hospital or know someone who has, then you may have heard the food in hospital is often, let’s say, undesirable! Hospital meals and food choices in NSW Public Hospitals are governed by a contracted caterer, Health Share NSW. Meals are prepared offsite, packaged and usually frozen. When you order a meal as a patient the order is (generally) heated from frozen and then served.
Who Is Health Share NSW?
Health Share NSW is a Government Department that provides a range of services to local district health care and hospital facilities. The picture here provides a snapshot of these services. For an overview of Health Share NSW visit About Health Share. To view more information about NSW Hospital food and meal choices, visit Food and Patient Support Services- Health Share NSW.
What Do People Eat In Hospitals?
Generally, patients are served three meals a day. These include breakfast, lunch and Dinner. Between meals, patients are offered a drink and snack, usually twice a day, however, some hospitals may offer a supper drink and snack after dinner.
The video, My Food Choice is interesting viewing. When you watch the clip, notice the plastic set menu card patients select their meals from. You will also see the meals being prepared and packaged. The meals are packaged in disposable plastic bowls. Cutlery is also disposable. Imagine being in hospital for more than a few days eating from disposable bowls and cutlery? Annoyingly, a bowl is really difficult to cut up food in.
Can You Order Special Meals In Hospital?
Hospital meals and food choices for most hospitals can be found online as a set menu. When you are in hospital you may discover that the only food available is from the set menu as it is all pre prepared, packaged and frozen. The only exception is fresh fruit options and hot drinks like tea and coffee.
In NSW Public Hospitals it is now very rare to have any fresh food or meals prepared daily on hospital grounds. During my hospital stays I have found a few exceptions:
St Vincent’s Hospital. There is an unusual set up where St Vincent’s Private Hospital also caters for the St Vincent’s Public Hospital. Therefore, meals and food choices are prepared fresh, daily and on site. The meals are great when you compare it to other Public Hospitals in Sydney / Metropolitan Sydney.
Westmead Public Hospital has pre prepared meals catered for by Health Share NSW. Therefore, the set meals are pre prepared, packaged and frozen prior to serving. However, at the time of writing this post caterers were also able to request PATIENT CUSTOMISED MEALS. This means the meals are cooked to order, fresh, daily and on hospital grounds. The catch is, you need to self refer to the dietician. Once you see the dietician a whole range of food and meal choices open up to you!
See The Dietician
Sometimes patients will be referred to the hospital dietician by the medical staff. However, you can self refer to the dietician to improve the scope of hospital food and meal choices available to you.
As a heart / lung transplant patient you will automatically see a dietician as there are many nutritional requirements and food safety considerations you need to adhere to. Look for a future post about this topic. It’s on the way! Alternatively I have another post to check out, what you need to know about a heart transplant.
When should a patient be referred to a dietitian?
Dieticians play a crucial role in the healthcare system, assisting a diverse range of patients across various age groups with specialised nutritional guidance. Their expertise covers a wide spectrum of medical conditions, including but not limited to:
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Diabetes
- Food allergies and intolerances
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Addressing neurological problems
- Tackling obesity and associated health conditions
- Providing nutritional support for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Post-surgery dietary guidance for recovery and healing
- Managing nutrition for respiratory conditions
- Supporting patients with rheumatological conditions
- Assisting underweight or malnourished individuals in stabilising and gaining weight through tailored nutrition support.
The work of hospital dieticians is essential in promoting overall health and well-being by emphasising the significant impact of diet on various medical conditions.
Can You Self Refer To A Dietician?
The short answer is yes. Regardless of why you are admitted to hospital the best kept secret is this one. Always ask to see the dietician on the first day. If you have food sensitivities or allergies, or you are diabetic, gluten free, carb free or vegetarian then request to see the dietician. Be aware, you do not need to have any medical condition to self refer and have a discussion with the dietician.
Why Self Refer To A Dietician
Routinely, as an in-hospital patient, you will have a staff member take your order in person using a computer. If this method of ordering does not suit you, ask for a set menu card, as it can be easier to follow. You can access the menu online too.
When catering staff collect your order, you may be led to believe that no food is prepared onsite and the only food that is available is what is on offer through the provided menu. This is not always correct. This is why self referring to the dietician is helpful. Through a discussion with a hospital dietician you may discover that there is a whole range of hospital food and meals on offer that is not listed on the menu.
When you see the dietician ask it is vital to ask if the hospital makes patient customised meals on site. If the answer is yes then happy days order away. You can order a freshly cooked meal.
At Westmead Public Hospital I was able to order my own customised meals. For example a freshly grilled chicken breast with vegetables and a sauce on the side. It was served on a real plate with real cutlery. No more set menu precooked foods served in disposable bowls with flimsy blunt cutlery.
You can also ask the dietician to schedule regular delivery of high protein smoothies, healthier yogurt options, cheese with biscuit packs, crisp chips, bottles of mineral water to name just a few.
Navigating Your Fresh Food Order
When catering staff were taking my order most were great and accepted the request for a customised meal. However, there were a few times when I was told the only food and meal choices available were those from the set menu. Once I explained that I had seen the dietician and was approved to order a customised meal or other food choices, my order was happily accepted.
Be aware that catering staff change shifts too. You may find that you have to repeat the request each time there is a new catering team member taking your order. Remember to be patient, staff are just following hospital routines, while also carrying out their training and instructions. Staff are fantastic at assisting you but I know that if you remain polite, friendly and grateful you create a relationship that benefits everyone.
Hopefully self referring to the dietician will make your hospital stay/s so much more bearable. Food is such a pleasure and it can make all the difference to your mood and ability to cope if you are eating tolerable nutrient dense food without spending money on takeaway or cafe food.
For future reference you might like to know about the medicare rebate. A rebate is available for continued dietetic care.
Are Dietetic Sessions Covered By Medicare
Dietetic sessions can be covered by Medicare with the appropriate referral from your doctor. The referral forms that enable you to receive a Medicare rebate are the “Individual Allied Health Services Under Medicare” form.
For an eligible dietetic consultation, the Medicare rebate amount is $58.30 (at time of writing). This rebate will be directly deposited into your bank account by Medicare. Usually the Dietician Service can assist in submitting the claim on your behalf, making the process smooth and convenient for you.
To review the full terms and conditions follow this link to the Medicare rebate for the complete Medicare Benefits Schedule.
Once again, I hope this post Enlightens, Entertains and Empowers you as you move through your challenges and triumphs. We would love to hear from you so please leave a tip or comment in the form below.
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