vegan food in hospitals?

[Sluggie]

Get better soon, WildWitch. I had an injection into a wound on my chin when I was a kid - it was hideously painful, but having the stitches removed a few days later was a walk in the park by comparison.

I hope the scarring isn't bad.

[Marrers]

Hope it goes well at your appointment WildWitch.

[Shrapnel]

Aw, I'm sorry to hear about the injuries Wild Witch, and the situation exacerbated by the crappy staff. I hope you recover soon.

[WildWitch]

yes, i too met some lovely welsh people and am definitely not anti-welsh.
my son was taught bi-lingually at school from the age of 3.5 years, he wrote and spoke welsh. I also learnt some myself. I can see some of the gripes but i still think we are all from the U.K, and i refuse to apologise for my ancestors actions!.

Hmm, we have gone off-topic wildwitch

er, to get back on-topic, we have a small cottage hospital here but for any operations/difficult births, and some specialist appointments (including child psychiatry at the monet, grr) we have to fly over to Aberdeen hospital.

Well i was put in a position where i had to appologise as he was getting very close to thumping me im sure, so i appologised and maybe saved myself a lot worse.

Right back on topic

Stitch came out today, yup just one stitch, the other 3 are too deep to come out and need to be given a bit more healing time so have to go back on Friday. Hopefully they will be out by my holiday. This time next week i will be in Devon, hopefuly stitches still in Wales and no longer attached to me

Wish id have got your message before sluggie, sat in that waiting room almost shaking with fear, wasnt so bad at all, no needle this time

Thanks for you good wishes everyone

Hugs

[harpy]

Glad it went OK, WW - now you can relax!

[Gorilla]

hope the other stitches come out ok on Friday, best wishes xxx

[vegan-yogini]

...... then the nurse asked me if id like a cup of bovril, staring at her i thought she was joking, i said im vegan, yes she said the bovril is nice and filling. I just lookedat her and said but its beef, to which she looked back and said oh are you a vegetarian as well.

LOL! Sorry to laugh at your misfortune, but this statement was just too funny!

We had a client come in the other day who is a chef. She has brought many non-vegan delicacies in, to which I have politely declined because they obviously contained butter, cream, eggs and milk. The last time she came in, she waited until after I was out of ear-reach, then leaned across my boss's desk and asked, "So, what's wrong with her again?" "She's vegan" he replied -- as if it were some sort of disease.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

[aussievego]

Everybody knows that if you aren't sick when you go in, the food will make you sick, and that's just the regular food for the meat eaters

But seriously, no matter what diet I was on, if I went to hospital I would bring my own food. In Australia hospital food is atrocious. When we had our little girl we were lucky that the hospital was in a suburb with plenty of vegan restaurants so I provided the catering for my partner. But a few days later we had to take our little one back to the hospital because of jaundice, and when it came to feeding time we were shocked to find that Sydney's biggest hospital did not have any non cows milk formula available. I enquired about what would happen if a baby was allergic to cows milk or vegan and I got a shrug of the shoulders. I had to race out to the nearest supermarket and return in time for feeding in case we needed some extra food to supplement the breast milk. Not impressed.

[WildWitch]

Wow Aussie, i thought it was just UK hospitals that were so bad.

Yes VY, i was shocked by the nurses reaction to the bovril at first, wasnt sure if she was joking or what, when i realised she wasnt it was funny. Friend of mine said one of his work collegues commented he wasnt a true vegan the other day cause they saw him eating marmite hehehe!

I think my bovril one will go down as one of the best funny vegan stories yet though, vegetarian as well, awwww bless her lol.

[emzy1985]

I've litterally been starved in hospital before. I was recovering from analphalaptic shock so pretty much can't move or do anything and was on my own. THE FUCKING NURSE OFFERED ME SCAMPI!!! Um hello?

[puffin]

Sorry to hear about your accident and experience. The last 2 times i was in hospital i got my husband to bring me food in, i didnt even bother asking if they had anything because i couldn't be bothered to explain. It is awful that they dont even have soya milk, vegan marg or at lease one vegan dish.

[WildWitch]

well there are enough of us here, we should be doing something about it. I feel so strongly that people in hospital should be recieving healthy and nutritious foods as well as us vegans being catered for i want to do something about it but not sure where to start.

Any ideas people? Think the local papers might be interested?

[cobweb]

yep, local paper - for the manhole story and the hospital food story!

[WildWitch]

Just completed an on line hospital feedback form regarding the food and the nurses invitation to have a cup of bovril outlining my disgust at lack of training for staff in dietry needs and the basic standard of food served up in the hospital in general.

Never thought about the man hole story for the press, might do that. Not sure i want my face in the paper though looking as it does at this moment.

[harpy]

I would definitely tell the local paper about the food if you want to.

I'm not sure I'd tell them about the injury until you've spoken to a lawyer as what you say to the press might affect your chances of getting compensation (not sure about this but I'd be careful).

Glad you got a chance to do the feedback form. Will be interesting to see if you get a response, assuming you gave contact details?

[treaclemine]

The Vegan Society Advocacy Officer can help people who are in, or about to go into, or who have had a bad experience in any hospital (or a care home).

At the very least, copies of The Vegan Society "Vegan Catering Guide for Hospitals and Care Home" are freely available - just call 0121 523 1735 or email info@vegansociety.com

[WildWitch]

The Vegan Society Advocacy Officer can help people who are in, or about to go into, or who have had a bad experience in any hospital (or a care home).

At the very least, copies of The Vegan Society "Vegan Catering Guide for Hospitals and Care Home" are freely available - just call 0121 523 1735 or email info@vegansociety.com

I might get some of those leaflets and give them to the hospital next time i go

[Agatha]

i think you should absolutely go to the local press regarding the shite food. its not just vegans that suffer with hospital food, i've known blind people be given food out of their reach and not been told it was there. when my grandmother was dying in hospital it was too much effort for a nurse to read the menu to her and left a small print version on the bedside table when she was asleep. like she would chuffing see it. grrrrr and the state of nursing homes is far far worse...

anyway back to the point, it sounds very much like the hospital were guilty of clinical negligence by not arranging an appropriate eating assessment, and general negligence for not respecting your dietary requirements and indirectly descriminating against your beliefs.

Personally, i wouldn't mention the cause of accident as that is a separate issue and you don't want the press to focus on that instead of the hospital.

[WildWitch]

[quote=Agatha;510690]i think you should absolutely go to the local press regarding the shite food. its not just vegans that suffer with hospital food, i've known blind people be given food out of their reach and not been told it was there. when my grandmother was dying in hospital it was too much effort for a nurse to read the menu to her and left a small print version on the bedside table when she was asleep. like she would chuffing see it. grrrrr and the state of nursing homes is far far worse...

quote]

Thats dreadful, what is it with the nursing staff are they overworked or just not bothered? I have worked in nursing homes in the past, it really used to get me the way the staff treated the clients. I dunno if im just too soft or what but if i get to that age and cant look after myself i want to be treated with some respect and dignity. I always used to think how would i want to be treated or how would i treat someone dear to me who was that old and incapable. Its just not acceptable.

I used to love sitting chatting with the elderly clients, not only did they find it theraputic to have someone to talk with and show interest in them as people but i found them interesting, so much they have seen and done, so many memories they still have and want to share. I got told off for not working, staff were supposed to be seen feeding, cleaning or taking them to the toilet or we would get into trouble. I used to take a nail file and clippers, that way they would get a manicure and a chance to chat while i looked like i was working. And some of the other staff wondered why i never got thumped by the clients or sworn at, maybe its cause i saw them as people.

[sugarmouse]

[QUOTE=WildWitch;510696]

.

I used to love sitting chatting with the elderly clients, not only did they find it theraputic to have someone to talk with and show interest in them as people but i found them interesting, so much they have seen and done, so many memories they still have and want to share. I got told off for not working, staff were supposed to be seen feeding, cleaning or taking them to the toilet or we would get into trouble. I used to take a nail file and clippers, that way they would get a manicure and a chance to chat while i looked like i was working. And some of the other staff wondered why i never got thumped by the clients or sworn at, maybe its cause i saw them as people.

I am so like that with older folk too, wildwitch. So much to say they have...never have i met an older person I found uninteresting.
I wish you a good recovery

[WildWitch]

Thanks sugar,

Had the stitches removed yesterday, omg did it sting or what, horrible feeling. Anyway im just left with a small red patch now which feels much less painful and i can eat better now, so all is good.

Off to Devon tomorrow, last minute packing to be done. Im so looking forward to the break, being by the sea, being waited on, no housework to do or schedule to stick to and being in a nice location.

[harpy]

Have a good break, WW.

[Animosity]

I've litterally been starved in hospital before. I was recovering from analphalaptic shock so pretty much can't move or do anything and was on my own. THE FUCKING NURSE OFFERED ME SCAMPI!!! Um hello?

I am sorry about your experience, but nurses have to put up with a lot of sh*t... and they are just extremely stressed. My Mom is an ICU nurse and there's not a moment when she isn't doing a million different things... under those circiumstances be happy the nurse tried givng you that (seafood I assume? which is widely belived to be vegetarian--and not many people know what a 'vegan' really is other than a type of vegetarian.) and not just give you another generic meal because I assume you didn't mention allergies or religion, so maybe they just thought you were 'picky'. if that was the case, just know the nurse tried, try and forgive... and then in the future, educate! but I agree... it does suck when people mess up like that... it's stressful and it wastes, which is why I think some campaign to educate hospital staff about veganism should be put in order... some sort of program to keep someone other than just the patient understanding what the diet is.

[harpy]

I don't think you can realistically expect a vegan to be at all happy to be offered scampi (roughly equal to your shrimp, I think), animosity!

I agree individual nurses aren't to blame, though. Hospitals need to have a system in place for dealing with "special diets", and I believe some do. Patients as well as nurses are often extremely stressed and shouldn't have to fight a big battle just to get something to eat.

[sandra]

Thanks sugar,

Had the stitches removed yesterday, omg did it sting or what, horrible feeling. Anyway im just left with a small red patch now which feels much less painful and i can eat better now, so all is good.

Off to Devon tomorrow, last minute packing to be done. Im so looking forward to the break, being by the sea, being waited on, no housework to do or schedule to stick to and being in a nice location.

Glad you've got that over and done with WildWitch.........your break in Devon sounds lovely, have a great time!

[WildWitch]

Animosity, i dont blame the nurses at all, i see what a difficult job they have. During my stay in hospital i didnt demand anything at all, never shouted at the nurses, swore at them, made a fuss, kept asking them to fetch stuff, buzzing them constantly unlike the lady in the next bed. Only time i did ask a nurse for advice she bit my head off and stormed off. Other time when i informed them i was a vegan i got laughed at and offered bovril. Trust me i wasnt well enough to argue with them so left it, can always look stuff up on the internet about aftercare when your home from hospital i guess.

I really do feel though that nurses shouldnt be dishing out food. When i was in Birmingham we had staff to do that, nurses would never have dreamed of lowering themselves to serving food to patients, there were other staff that did that, even the nursing assistants wouldnt do it. Maybe thats the difference between getting ill in England and getting ill in Wales, money. If i get sick again ill give my mums address and get treated in the Midlands.

[WildWitch]

Glad you've got that over and done with WildWitch.........your break in Devon sounds lovely, have a great time!

Thanks Sandra,

Im sure the worst is over regarding treatment now, time to relax and recover me thinks.

[harpy]

At our local hospital they have specialist food disher-outers so the nurses don't have to do it. (Some of the disher-outers didn't seem to speak very good English though so trying to explain the concept "vegan" to them might be fun...)

[cherob]

Bloody hell! What a time of if you've had WildWitch! I haven't been on here for a few days and was totally shocked by your experiences in hospital! I was just thinking about this the other day- wondering if hospitals and care homes cater for vegans- not likely in Wales it seems. Truly appalling! I am also surprised at your experiences in Wales, in general. Name calling, finding a job etc. I have lived in Wales for 8 years and maybe I've been insulated from it being Canadian, but I think it's rubbish, certain Welsh people really have to get over this anomisity towards the English. It really does make me angry to hear of these attitudes. Hope you're healing well and enjoy Devon, you deserve a lovely break.

[Roxy]

Enjoy your break Wild Witch.

[pusskins]

I am so sorry to hear about what happened WildWitch - the injury and the horrible time in hospital!

I have to go in to hospital for an operation sometime before Christmas - basically, I broke my foot last year and they had to put some screws in. Unfortunately, there has been a 'non-union' between two of the bones, so I'll be having a bone graft to sort it out. Ouch!

I had a horrible time last year in hospital. Food-wise, I wasn't vegan at that point, but I do have type 1 diabetes. Unfortunately, the nursing staff had very old fashioned ideas about diabetes and didn't really listen when I was trying to explain to them about the DAFNE course I took (google it - it's a course I took which changed my life). My partner had a contretemps with a nurse over a sachet of sugar despite our explanation

Anyhoo, I am hoping it will be a short stay this time, and I hope I won't find the food situation too difficult. Thank you very much treaclemine for that link to The Vegan Society booklet. I'll take a copy of that, along with my DAFNE book!

Hope Devon was lovely, WildWitch

[harpy]

Might be worth your contacting the hospital catering manager before you go in, pusskins, to make sure they understand your requirements? Hope it goes OK

[pusskins]

Yes, of course, I'd best do that. I got the letter through today confirming my impending op. Will contact them during the week to get the lowdown. Thanks, harpy

[harpy]

I haven't actually tried this but I think our NHSperts were recommending it earlier! Please let us know how you get on.

[WildWitch]

Good luck with everything puss, hope your treatment is as painfree and comfortable as possible. As for the food issues, do make sure you demand the best possible nutritious food (or get a friend to bring you stuff in).

I recieved a lengthy letter from our local health authority appologising for the fuck up they made with the veganism but informing me the veggie menu offers a wide range of choices including quorn. What bollocks, i wasnt offered any of this, i will be writing back to them telling them quorn isnt vegan and that the information there giving me is wrong. A friend of mine who was terminally ill in the same hospital not so long ago was disgusted with the food. In his memory i will fight this and tell them how wrong they are and how they should be giving more priority to veggies and vegans in hospital and that veggies dont eat fish ffs!

[Gorilla]

good luck pusskins, i hope your hospital stay isn't too bad.

sorry to hear about your friend WildWitch, that's a great thing to do to get the food improved in his memory. i hope they pay attention to your next letter.

[Linxie]

My Nan has been in hospital for the past 3 months and while visiting her I have chatted a few times to the lady who brings round the lunches and dinners.

I asked her one day what would happen re food if I was admitted and she said a dietician would come to talk to me or I could have one of their many vegan curry options. I was quite impressed by that.

But it is about the only thing that has impressed me about that place in 3 months

[Paprika]

(A.K.A. Pusskins' partner...)

Well, I've just beamed off an email on Pusskins' behalf to the hospital where she's getting her foot done. I've asked for reassurance on two counts: that she'll be offered an appropriate vegan diet, and that the hospital will refrain from treating her like an idiot over her diabetes. I phrased the latter a bit more politely...

They gave her such a hard time last time it was unreal. The nurse actually had a go at her in front of the whole ward, and it was implied daily that she was being rather awkward. It's her body ffs!!! We gave up the fight in the end, and I just took in loads of decent food myself. At least this time round we'll be prepared, and hopefully the hospital will be a bit more switched on.........*guffaw*

As for the nursing staff? Some good, many bad, all totally overstretched. I actually ended up feeding one of the other women on the ward, cos no-one was free to help. GGGRRRRnnnnnggggg!!! It makes my blood boil.

[herbwormwood]

Its nice of her to offer to send a dietician but vegans are legally entitled to practice their dietary choice just by asking for vegan options. We are not obliged to have anyone elses's approval or guidance. The dinner lady probably doesn't know the law.
Also if while in hospital a vegan wishes to avoid or decline treatments containing animal products that is their legal right.
The only exception is in the UK if one is detained in a psychiatric hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983. Only then one can be treated without one's consent.

[Shrapnel]

I hope you have a decent stay in the hospital Pusskins and have a speedy recovery. At least there's someone to bring you food if the hospital fails

And sorry to hear about your non, Linxie. I hope her condition improves

[Shrapnel]

Good luck with everything puss, hope your treatment is as painfree and comfortable as possible. As for the food issues, do make sure you demand the best possible nutritious food (or get a friend to bring you stuff in).

I recieved a lengthy letter from our local health authority appologising for the fuck up they made with the veganism but informing me the veggie menu offers a wide range of choices including quorn. What bollocks, i wasnt offered any of this, i will be writing back to them telling them quorn isnt vegan and that the information there giving me is wrong. A friend of mine who was terminally ill in the same hospital not so long ago was disgusted with the food. In his memory i will fight this and tell them how wrong they are and how they should be giving more priority to veggies and vegans in hospital and that veggies dont eat fish ffs!

I'm really sorry to hear about your friend =(

I hope your fight is successful, and I'm impressed by your dedication to improve things there.

[Sarah_]

I'm seriously appalled by the way everyone's been treated about their veganism and whatnot. It's making my blood just boil thinking about it.

[treaclemine]

I'm seriously appalled by the way everyone's been treated about their veganism and whatnot. It's making my blood just boil thinking about it.

Definitely! That's why The Vegan Society have an Advocacy Officer ...

[harpy]

So treaclemine, could someone in hospital and unable to get vegan food ask the Advocacy Officer to intervene in real-time as it were?

[treaclemine]

So treaclemine, could someone in hospital and unable to get vegan food ask the Advocacy Officer to intervene in real-time as it were?

I believe so, although for non-emergency admissions I'm sure your best bet would be to get in touch well ahead of time.

You can request a free copy of The Vegan Society information leaflet, "Vegans in Hospitals and Care Homes - a Guide":

"While in a hospital or care home it is vital that your nutritional requirements are met to help you make a full recovery. Some hospitals offer varied vegan food options and are willing to cater for all your needs, but others have little to offer in terms of vegan food. It is therefore advisable to be prepared for a hospital visit if you possibly can. Failing that, there are steps you can take once you are in the hospital or care home. ...

"The Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) is available in all English hospitals ... You can get in touch with them through the hospital or by phoning NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. In the event that you make use of their services while in hospital please let us know how you get on. For information on support available in hospitals in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales please contact The Vegan Society. If you wish to put in a complaint, PALS or equivalent can help you. Alternatively contact The Vegan Society for more information:

Donald Watson House, 21 Hylton Street, Hockley, Birmingham B18 6HJ
Tel: 0845 458 8244 or +44 121 523 1730 Email: info [at] vegansociety [dot] com

[harpy]

Yes, I agree it must be best to fix it up ahead of time if you can, but in this thread there are stories of people hospitalised in emergencies having a hard time getting anything to eat. It would be good if there were a number they could ring to get someone to intervene.

I have had limited success with a PALS (regarding a subject unconnnected with veganism) but I suppose they're worth a try.

[Digital Ghost]

'It would be good if there were a number they could ring to get someone to intervene.'

I agree.

It's the emergency situations that are the worst. You have no time to prepare and sometimes you are not able to take in your own food or anything else you need.

I would say I have had very limited success with a PALS regarding several things.

Also - in my experience persuading a nurse to make a phone call for you is impossible.
At the time I was too ill to do it myself and had to ask another patient - which was rather tricky as I was in a side room to avoid infection.

[treaclemine]

OK, the direct line for The Vegan Society Advocacy Officer is 0121 523 1735 (during office hours only unfortunately).

[harpy]

Thank you treaclemine. I've saved the number and will hope not to have to use it!

[WildWitch]

My admission to hospital was unexpected. One member of staff told me i could have some soup, had no idea if it was creamed or not (i had facial injuries and couldnt eat much). Thought id best stick with the mashed potato in the end.