Care Opinion

Return of Cakegate!

Posted By RHA040282

"Return of Cakegate!"

About: Rampton Hospital

(as a service user),

This might sound a little familiar, but last year's issue has returned....

When a person is deprived of their liberty, it's the little things in life that makes the day-to-day monotony liveable. For me, one of these things is having Christmas cake at Christmas. A small, happy link to a childhood bereft of many happy moments. (Not to mention the eating of Christmas cake at Christmas time been a well established part of the celebrations carried out by Christians the length & breath of the country). This year I was most disappointed to learn that the patient shop here at Rampton, 'Zest', would not be able to stock Christmas cake, as they do most years, due to a combination of supplier issue and alcohol content!

So Rampton is unable to support Christian patients in celebrating the birth of Christ in the traditional manner. 

I am sad and disappointed that Rampton Hospital and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust are unable to support us in this matter and I hope that patients in other Trust hospitals are able to celebrate the Christmas festival in a traditional manner, with a nice slice of Christmas cake!

(One small glimmer of hope is that once the online shopping service, provided by Made Purple, is up and running, management might in future years allow us to purchase cultural food items from authorised suppliers online).

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Zoe Rowbottom, Facilities Manager, Rampton, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 2 months ago
Zoe Rowbottom
Facilities Manager, Rampton,
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 23/12/2024 at 15:52
Published on Care Opinion at 15:52

Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding the availability of Christmas Cake in the patient shop.

We are sorry you are disappointed to learn that the patient shop was not stocking Christmas cake. The patient shop conforms to the security directions, which includes a blanket restriction on any alcohol content of items sold in the shop.

A small selection of single portion alcohol free Christmas cakes were sold last year, feedback from these items included being too small and expensive.

This year with Christmas cake supplies being limited, the retail staff did try other suppliers on the framework and even visited local providers. Unfortunately, suitable stock was unable to be sourced. The patient shop has added additional festive confectionary and supplies, which have been very popular, such as the Yule log, mince pies and Christmas cake bars.

Could a discussion be held with TES, regarding options for baking Christmas cakes in the patient therapy sessions?

Please continue to discuss at the patient food and shop groups any additional lines that could also be explored for the festive celebrations for patients to purchase.

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by RHA040282 (a service user)

Last year they managed to stock full-size Christmas cakes purchased from a supermarket. The same cake was available from the supermarket this year and was confirmed to be alcohol free, as it was last year.

Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k