In-patient referrals can be made by any member of the multidisciplinary team by contacting the relevant ward or speciality dietitian. Referrals are prioritised according to clinical need and patients are seen within 72 hours of being referred.
Most referrals we receive for in-patients are for nutrition support. When you are admitted to the Royal Free Hospital, you will be weighed and screened for malnutrition risk. If you are malnourished, or at risk of becoming malnourished, your nurse will implement a nutritional action plan that may involve giving you supplements to help you meet your nutritional needs. You will be weighed and screened on a weekly basis during your admission and if you require more specialist dietary input, you will be referred to us. We will be able to come and see you on the ward and discuss with you what we can do to support you to meet your nutritional needs.
We are not directly involved in providing food to the wards. However, we provide advice and support to OCS who provide our catering service. Our menus are coded to help you make appropriate meal choices depending on your nutritional needs. The codes are explained on the menus but if you need further help please ask one of the nursing staff. If you have specific dietary needs these are usually catered for by the standard menu. Please let your nurse know what your needs are so they can contact the catering patient satisfaction manager who will be happy to discuss these with you.