FRESH fruit, salads and yogurts are among the healthy options which will be offered to young patients in the Paediatric unit of University Hospital Waterford.

New menus are to be introduced following complaints from the parent of a five-year-old child which were outlined to Deputy Ciara Conway and in turn raised with the hospital.

Deputy Conway said that she was contacted by a lady who was very worried about the food served to her five-year-old niece who was recovering from pneumonia.

“This lady described how the little girl was served chips for her evening meal, and, as she described it, “something round and orange which, on closer inspection was a flat, fishcake with nothing recognisable as fish inside, a slice of cheap white bread and butter. There were no vegetables or fruit, or anything of any nutritional value on her plate,” said the Labour deputy.

The concerns were raised with the Minister for Health and a response was received from the hospital manager, Richard Dooley. He said a review of the Paediatric Services meals was taking note of the feedback. The review involved the catering manager, paediatric nurse managers and the dietician. A menu card system has been agreed and will be introduced for the Paediatric Ward so that the older children and parents can be aware of what choices are on offer on a daily basis. It will include fresh fruit, salads, yogurts and other healthy food options.

Deputy Conway added, “I’ve also been informed that the nursing staff on the ward and catering staff will focus on better communication with parents and/or children to ensure they are made aware of the food choices available.

“This is good news, and hopefully it will mean that parents and children will see improvements in what food choices are available.

However, I note that a Parliamentary Question I had raised with the Minister regarding whether chips are an acceptable offering on a hospital menu remains unanswered by the HSE, and I’ve written to the Minister once again seeking an answer to this. We need a national policy that can be applied in all hospitals in relation to good nutritious food and that’s something I’ll be pressing with the Minister and the HSE.”