Lifting the standard of hospital food

Aug 20, 2019

New nutrition standards will be set at for the food served in all public hospitals and nursing homes across the Greater Shepparton Region in a bid to lift standards across the state.

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The state audit into the taste, nutritional value and diversity of meals served to patients and residents was announced by the state government last week.Goulburn Valley Health Manager of Business Services Brett Dobson said any recommendations following the audit that enhance patients experience would be welcomed by GV Health.“GV Health is proactive in providing high standard meal choices for patients,” Mr Dobson said. “Menus are reviewed quarterly and changed to reflect seasonal availability.“Results from patient surveys are taken into consideration when making these changes."During last year's state election, the government addressed the quality of meals being served in hospitals and placed it on their agenda to improve standards.GV Health Manager Nutrition & Dietetics Wendy Swan said menus are developed according to nutritional standards and chefs liaise closely with dietetics staff during the food selection process.“There have been several projects undertaken to audit both nutritional quality of the GV Health menu and also plate waste,” Ms Swan said.“These audits inform future planning of the foods included in the menu offered to patients."GV Health will receive a new kitchen as part of the hospital's redevelopment which will operate like hotel room service on a cook to order basis.Mr Dobson said the new delivery style has been proven to enhance patient satisfaction and meal choices during patients stay in hospital.