PATIENTS at Okehampton Hospital were given an opportunity to try different foods as part of Nutrition and Hydration Week 2016.

The global awareness campaign – from Monday, March 14 to Sunday, March 20 – is aimed at highlighting the importance of nutrition and hydration in improving the safety and outcomes of patients.

The Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust ran different menu themes on each weekday, with an oat breakfast, supper-time snack, global tea party, thirsty Thursday and fishy Friday.

Patients were encouraged to drink more water and fluids and each day were given information and advice about nutrition and hydration on the back of their menu cards.

Andrea Bell, assistant director of nursing (acute) and head of professional practice for the trust, said: ‘We know that good nutritional care, adequate hydration and enjoyable mealtimes can improve general health and wellbeing, as well as increase resistance to disease and improve recovery from illness, trauma or surgery.

‘We support a multi-disciplinary approach to nutritional care and value the contribution of all staff groups working in partnership with patients to ensure their needs are met.

‘The awareness week offered an excellent opportunity to reinforce the significance of good nutrition and hydration in our patients’ holistic care.

‘We received some excellent feedback from patients and staff at NDDH and across our community hospitals.

‘Patients especially liked the cream tea and some asked if it could be included as a menu option more often!

‘I am excited to see the results of the world record attempt to participate in the largest Global Tea Party.’

The aim of Nutrition and Hydration Week is to create a global movement that will reinforce and focus energy, activity and engagement on nutrition and hydration as an important part of quality care, experience and safety improvement in health and social care settings.

The campaign was previously led by the Hospital Caterers Association (HCA), National Association of Care Catering (NACC) and Patient Safety First.