Medirest makes mealtimes fun for children and teenagers

Staying in hospital can be a difficult experience for a child. It is for this reason that Medirest has completely re-branded its patient catering offer for children and teenagers with Greenacre Garden.

Press Release : Compass Group
Compass Group news team
Monday 01 February 2010

Maxine Cartz, Dietitian for Medirest, Compass Group UK & Ireland, said, ?It is really important to make mealtimes fun for young patients in hospital for whom food is an essential part of treatment.   Our new Greenacre Garden brand is tailored to young children and to teenagers meaning that patients of all ages can look forward to mealtimes ? choosing their favourite homely, nutritious meals from a large menu and entertaining themselves with age appropriate activities all about food and healthy living.?

The new Greenacre Garden offer sees an even wider menu including Steamplicity¹ meals such as cod in parsley sauce, traditional favourites like roast chicken and snack options including soups, sandwiches, paninis and jacket potatoes.

Lizzy Worthen, Matron, Child Health, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust added, ?Meeting children?s nutritional needs while in hospital is always challenging; in some hospitals the only meal option available is to provide children with adult meals at adult mealtimes.  Greenacre Garden has enabled us to give the children child-friendly, nutritious meal options, individually cooked for them at a time they require it.?

In addition to the newly extended menu, hospital staff will notice the introduction of age-appropriate trayliners on wards to keep patients entertained; for young children, a word search, a dot-to-dot activity and spot-the-difference exercise get across messages of healthy eating and healthy living, while teenagers can keep their minds whirring with a cryptic crossword, sudoku and food related anagrams.

-Ends-

Notes to editors

For more information:
Katya Heath, Compass Group UK & Ireland
Tel: 01895 554114
Mob:  07795 452522
Email: katya.heath@compass-group.co.uk

1 - About Steamplicity
Steamplicity is a complete patient food service system, cooking fresh and appetising food using steam pressure that gives patients greater choice and flexibility at mealtimes. Complete meals are prepared at our dedicated Cuisine Centre in St Albans and then delivered to, and cooked at the point of service (usually a ward pantry) in bespoke packaging, which behaves in the same way as an individual pressure cooker. The meals cook very quickly (between 3 and 5 minutes) ensuring that the flavour and goodness of the food are retained during the cooking process and once cooked, the meals are served to patients immediately.

About Medirest
Medirest is the specialist healthcare operating company of Compass Group UK & Ireland, providing a full range of hotel services, including staff, patient and visitor catering, domestics, portering, security and reception, at over 50 acute hospitals and medical treatment centres. 

Compass Group UK & Ireland provides foodservices and support services at a wide range of sites to clients and customers in the workplace, at schools and colleges, hospitals, at leisure and in defence, offshore and remote locations.

Compass Group UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group PLC, the world?s leading foodservice company. It specialises in providing food, vending and related services on our clients' premises and we generate annual revenues of around £13.4 billion in the year to 30 September 2009.
www.compass-group.co.uk