AN INNOVATIVE electronic system which allows staff on 10 of the wards at Furness General Hospital (FGH) to order inpatient meals on the same day has seen a staggering 49 per cent reduction in food wastage.

Since the scheme was introduced in April 2018 175,678 meals have been ordered through using the eMeals system.

A spokesperson from University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) said this equated to a saving of £26,000.

Before the new initiative staff would have had to fill in a paper form and take it to catering staff a day in advance. The old paper process could take ward staff up to one hour and 30 minutes to complete – so staff time has

also been saved by using the new system. 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.

Andy Wicks, Chief Information Officer, UHMBT, said: “This is a great example of how innovative

technology is transforming the way staff work to ensure our hospitals offer the best patient care

and experience.”

The system also flags patients who have food allergies or need a specialist diet such as glutenfree, low sodium or ethnic diet, giving the catering team greater control to ensure patients receive

a meal suitable for their needs.