AN innovative electronic system which allows staff at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI) to order inpatient meals has reduced food wastage by an average of forty nine per cent.

Since it was introduced in July 2018, this scheme has equated to saving around £26,000.

Before the system was introduced staff would have had to fill in a paper form and take it to catering staff a day in advance- this could mean that if a patient’s appetite changed meals could be wasted.

Since the swap, a staggering 359,819 meals have been ordered on 20 wards at RLI and

nine wards at Furness General Hospital. The old paper process could take ward staff up to one hour 30 minutes to complete – so staff time has also been saved by using the new system.

Jackie O’ Brien, Catering Manager, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation

Trust (UHMBT), said: “The reduction of food wastage has been staggering and something we’re

really proud of. The new system has saved time for catering supervisors’ as they no longer have

to count meal numbers. The new system does this automatically for them. "

Lisa Winn, Ward Manager for the RLI’s Lancaster Suite, UHMBT, said that the feedback they had received from patients was "fantastic".

“Patient care and experience is at the heart of what we do and we’ve had some fantastic feedback from patients on the meals since this system was introduced," she said.

“It’s also provided a fantastic opportunity for staff on the wards to work more closely with other

departments, helping provide a highly efficient service, putting the patient at the forefront while

creating measurable cost savings.”

Staff feedback shaped the design of the app, including having clear deadlines for ordering meals

and the ability to order items such as custard separately.

The new ordering system allows meals to ‘follow the patient’ should they be transferred to another

ward, as well as providing for swift cancellations if they are discharged.