Eating healthy food is an important part of your child's treatment and care. Good nutrition aides in healing. It can help a faster recovery, prevent loss of muscle and lower the chance of infection.
Our dietitians and chefs create meals that are balanced and nourishing to support recovery. We also provide high energy supplements if your child needs them.
We cater for a wide range of diets including allergies and intolerances and religious or personal preferences.
Please tell us if your child has:
- any special dietary needs
- requires help opening packets, cutting your food or feeding themselves
- does not receive a meal.
Meals
We serve three meals a day, as well as three snacks. We have water available all the time and tea and coffee facilities available on each ward. Each day your child will receive a paper menu to fill out their meal choices. We will collect this from their room each day.
If you or your child need help to fill out the menu let us know and we will help.
If your child didn’t receive a meal let your nurse know and we will arrange to bring something to eat.
Meal times
- Breakfast from 7:30am to 8:10am
- Morning tea – hot or cold drink and a small snack or biscuits
- Lunch from 12pm to 12:50pm
- Afternoon tea – hot or cold drink and a small snack or biscuits
- Dinner from 5:30pm to 6:10pm
- Supper – hot or cold drink and a small snack or biscuits.
Allergies
Talk to your child's nurse about any allergies or dietary preferences your child may have. Your nurse will arrange food that is safe for your child with our nutrition and food services departments.
Options when you are receiving cancer treatment
Our ‘Taste Changes Extras’ list provides further options that might help with changes in taste that can be a result of cancer treatment.
Meals for parents and carers
Breastfeeding mothers, mothers of babies admitted to the post-natal ward or parents or carers of children in the paediatric high care unit can receive meals. Talk to your child's nurse to arrange this.
Food from home
We do not encourage your family or friends to bring in food. However, if they insist, there are Guidelines for bringing food to hospital [PDF 292kB] to follow to make sure the food is safe and suitable.