HOSPITAL SURVIVAL GUIDE Check the menu

HOSPITAL food has improved but it may still not be to your liking or work for your diet. Many hospitals, such as the NHS Chesterfield Royal, now let you download their menus before you arrive. If you don’t like them, a relative or friend can bring in food for you if the hospital agrees.

Some hospitals also have microwaves so you can cook your own meals. Trained volunteers are sometimes on hand at mealtimes to help patients who are suffering from dementia or have visual impairments. One such hospital is the Chelsea and Westminster. If your hospital doesn’t offer this service, make sure staff are aware of the patient’s needs.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

ELECTIVE procedures are done on weekdays. If you’re in hospital over a weekend, you’ll see a shift doctor, who may not know your case personally. A doctor advises: ‘Ask what your weekend plan is before your doctor leaves on Friday. For example, they may say your catheter can come out and you can start eating. You can then make sure it happens.’