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An afternoon treat for patients, visitors and staff
Traditional afternoon tea – not something you would typically expect to find in an NHS hospital. However, the catering staff at the West Suffolk Hospital have gone the extra mile for patients, visitors and staff by offering a traditional afternoon tea that can be ordered by anyone, for any occasion, for up to six people.
“It might sound like an odd thing to offer in a hospital, but sometimes families want to celebrate a new birth, or perhaps the end of some difficult treatment, or even an all clear,” said Broderick Pooley, catering and community facilities manager at the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT). “Patients may be unable to go home to celebrate straight away, but they are able to visit our staff restaurant with their family in a more relaxed setting, and that’s why we wanted to be able to offer them a particularly special treat.”
At only £6.50 per person, the afternoon tea includes a selection of finger sandwiches, sweet treats including sandwiches, cakes, a homemade scone with Cornish clotted cream and jam, and a selection of teas or coffee, beautifully presented.
Luke Nobbs, head chef at WSFT, said: “We’ve had some really positive feedback already – some staff managers have bought the afternoon tea for their staff as a thank you.
“The staff on our Rainbow children’s ward even organised an afternoon tea party for one of their young patients, to brighten their day.
“We pride ourselves on our top quality, freshly cooked food, the majority of which is served on site, and this was just another way of improving our patients’, visitors’ and staff’s experience at our hospital.”
Dietary requirements can also be catered for, including dysphasia options for people who have difficulty swallowing, and an afternoon tea voucher can be bought as a gift, too.
Tracy Brett and her daughter, Daisy, enjoying afternoon tea at West Suffolk Hospital
Baby Daisy had her first outing from the neonatal unit on Thursday 2 May to join her parents Tracy Brett and Simon Wright from Newmarket, and her nanna Irene and Tracy’s best fried Jade, to enjoy an afternoon tea in Time Out, West Suffolk Hospital’s restaurant.
Daisy’s family have been visiting her in hospital since she was born prematurely at just 24 weeks, first at Addenbrooke's Hospital, and then at West Suffolk Hospital neonatal unit.
Her mum, Tracy, said: “It was such a treat to be able to enjoy a lovely afternoon tea with our family after such a stressful six months – and so exciting to take Daisy out in the pram for the first time! We can’t wait to take her home soon, and can’t fault the care we have received from NHS staff since her birth. She’s our little miracle baby, and we will cherish her first special afternoon tea party forever.”
The afternoon tea is available from 2.30pm – 5.00pm in the Time Out restaurant at the West Suffolk Hospital, and must be booked and paid for at least two days in advance.
Left to right: Irene Wright, Jade Briton, Tracy Brett and her baby daughter Daisy Wright, and Simon Wright, enjoying afternoon tea at West Suffolk Hospital
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