Food is medicine: IWK receives hundreds of suggestions on how to change menu

The IWK Health Centre says it has been bombarded with feedback as it looks to overhaul its menu.

The Halifax hospital for women and children launched a survey in March, asking current and former IWK families to weigh in on the Dial for Dining food services.

It operates similar to room service at a hotel, allowing patients and their families to order off a menu around the clock.

Andrea Penney, the manager of food services, said she was shocked by the response. At least 900 surveys were completed before the deadline on Friday night.

"This shows how important nourishment is in the patient journey and what an impact it has," she said. "We know that it's one of the items that when you're in hospital you can control."

The IWK is launching a new computer system in August that will include changes to the way the food services department operates. Penney said it seemed like a natural time to update the menu.

"We've gotten some great, great feedback such as looking for more gluten-free options, focusing on local," she said of the responses. "More vegan and vegetarian, and of course, more foods from our cultures."

While the official survey ends Friday night, Penney is encouraging people to continue to share their thoughts on the hospital food by reaching out to the patient feedback line.

She said it will take some time to sift through all the responses, but her department already knows some changes it will make, including how food is presented to the patients on their serving trays.

"One of the pieces of feedback that's come up a few times is about patients with autism and not wanting foods to touch," Penney said.

Other patients have talked about the way food is ordered, that it can sometimes take a while to get through on the Dial for Dining phone lines. Penney said the IWK is developing a patient app that will be launched in the fall, and that will include the option to order food directly.

"We think that's going to have a major impact on being able to place calls on demand, and of course getting your meals up to your rooms," said Penney.

The changes to the food system won't happen overnight.

Penney said they'll start testing new recipes this summer, and hope to launch some of the new meals in the fall.