News stories

A new digital meal ordering service has been successfully trialled on wards at Good Hope Hospital, and will be rolled out further, benefitting even more patients.  

The menuPick system can provide patients with choice, easing communication and accommodate specific dietary preferences.  

The system will minimise the risk of human error when ordering for dietary requirements and remove the options for patients to order a meal that is unsuitable or unsafe for their health requirements.  This includes allergen, special diets and meals provided for patients with swallowing difficulties. Patients that are ‘nil by mouth’ can also be recorded to ensure they do not receive meals and potentially delaying surgery or causing risk. 
 
Electronic meal ordering allows for guest orders to be placed so as a trust we can ensure carers can be provided with a meal when required.  
 
Dietitians can review meal choices and make any necessary adjustments for the patient’s best recovery. We will be able to analyse the most and least popular dishes and amend catering orders accordingly allowing the patients to receive the correct meals without wastage and in return reducing costs.  
 
The system was trialled on wards 24, 18, 15 and 12 in July 2023 and will be rolled out further in April 2024. 
 
Jane Lake, a ward coordinator at Good Hope Hospital, said the trial has been a huge success. “It works really well and there is a lot less waste with patients having exactly what they want. They get a good portion, too!  
 
“If we need anything extra, we just call catering and they bring it up, no problem. They have been very helpful, and it runs like a dream now!”