Guidance on foods that
may be brought into hospital
The provision of good wholesome food can play an important part in the recovery from illness.
The Trust’s catering services endeavour to cater for all the nutritional needs of our patients. If
there are specific requirements, the catering department will try to assist. However, visitors or
relatives may wish to bring in a ‘special treat’ to boost the patient’s morale.
Where visitors or relatives are intending to bring any food into hospital, they must first discuss
this with the nurse responsible for the patient’s care. This is to ensure that the food intending to
be supplied is suitable for the patient’s medical condition and not in opposition to the treatment
plan.
We also request your co-operation on the following matters, as we have to be extremely careful
that the health of any patient is not adversely affected by food brought into hospital. Patients,
visitors and relatives should be aware that the Trust accepts no responsibility for any harmful
effects caused by food brought into hospital by patients, visitors or relatives and any patient who
consumes such food does so entirely at their own risk.
1. Please DO NOT bring in any of the foods listed below:
Any raw meat, poultry, raw fish or seafood, raw shell eggs, un-pasteurised milk, pâté or
soft cheeses.
The reason these foods are not permitted is that they can all carry food poisoning
bacteria, which can put patients at risk.
2. If you are intending to bring any high protein foods (eg. cooked meat or meat products,
cooked fish or fish products, milk or dairy products, cooked eggs or egg products or
sandwiches), please try to ensure that if the foods are to be consumed cold that they are
kept cool whilst you are bringing them into hospital.
3. We discourage the supply of hot foods to patients by their relatives due to the difficulties
of keeping food hot during the journey into hospital. We do not have the facilities on the
wards suitable for re-heating foods.
4. If you bring in cold foods, please ensure that they are given to the nursing staff for
storage in the ward refrigerator. The foods will be labelled with the patient’s name and
date and retained for the patient’s consumption for 24 hours. After 24 hours, foods
will be thrown away.
Please note; nursing staff are instructed not to accept food that has an expired use by or
best before date.
5. This advice does not apply to chocolate, confectionery, biscuits, cakes (except those with
cream filling) or fresh fruit.
Your co-operation in observing the advice given above would be greatly appreciated.
Reference Code: G5746/0595/01.2002/VERSION2
© Copyright 2002 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior permission in
writing from the Patient Information Service, Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. (G1652/0697/V1)