Nutrition and Dietetics, Food Services, Speech Pathology and Nursing have worked in collaboration over the past several months to develop a new seven day menu for Redland Hospital.

A new 14 day menu for Redland Residential Care (RRC) has also been developed, both of which were introduced on May 9.

Dr Rachel Stoney, Director Nutrition and Dietetics, said some of the exciting menu changes for Redland Hospital patients included breakfast baked rolls and an increased variety in hot choices for those on high protein, high energy diets.

Dr Stoney said lunch offerings would include fortified soup with higher protein as a choice for all patients.

She said more choices would also be made available at each lunch and dinner meal with patients on a full diet offered a choice from two hot mains meals or a choice of a sandwich or a salad.

“A vegetarian choice will also be available each day.”

Dr Stoney said residents at RRC were involved in taste testing at each of the units which assisted in the selection of many of the new hot items and desserts for the RRC menu.

“Another major improvement of the new menu to enhance patient centred care will be introduction of same day menu selection.

“What this means for patients at Redland Hospital and residents of RRC is that each morning they will be offered a choice of lunch and dinner meals for that day.

“Currently menus are distributed to patients and residents for meals they select for breakfast, lunch and dinner the next day.

“The new same day menu is a major food service improvement initiative for Redland Hospital and RRC and has only been possible due to the hard work and dedication of the staff involved,” Dr Stoney said.