18 Comments
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India Knight's avatar

Adam sounds completely wonderful ❤️

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Catherine Phipps's avatar

He’s really trying his best and it is lovely to see. His sister is now back with us and so they will be sharing cooking duties for the rest of the week. It will be an exercise in cooperation…

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India Knight's avatar

Ha, peace on earth etc - very timely. I hope you're feeling ok and are vigorously on the mend. Hospital food is shocking, SHOCKING, including in my experience at Gt Ormond St, which is inexcusable.

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Catherine Phipps's avatar

Oh no! That really is bad.

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Jeannette Hyde's avatar

The story of your son is inspiring! Greet life skills.

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Jeannette Hyde's avatar

And glad to hear you are getting better x

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Ann's avatar

Hospital food is criminally bad. On one of the occasions my elderly mother was in and moved to a smaller hospital they couldn’t start her further treatment because she was undernourished and constipated. It’s much to do with putting food into the hands of large “catering” companies scrabbling for profits at the expense of patients. I don’t understand why no one seems to be able to get a grip of it - plenty people have tried 😡

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Catherine Phipps's avatar

Your poor mum! I don’t understand it either - it is one of those things that gets raised every so often but nothing is ever achieved. I think we need a lot more non profits.

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Catherine Pritchard's avatar

Your son is a treasure. Highly capable and so loving and helpful. I think you are right in that he is learning the independence which will be vital later. Try to relax and rest even though it is easier said than done. It will pay off in the end.

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Catherine Phipps's avatar

It will, thank you c

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Nadine Otway's avatar

I’m writing this from my hospital bed in France and I want to say that delicious meals are demonstrably achievable even in an institution such as this large hospital. I’ ve enjoyed crisp salads for starter every day, followed by perfect vegetables and a protein. Dessert is fromage frais and a fruit compote or salad. Nothing fancy, just plain fresh food well prepared. Why can’t the same be achieved in England ?

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Julie's avatar

I love that you are teaching your son to cook. It’s been my experience that young men are fascinated and excellent cook!

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Mark Diacono's avatar

The reluctance to prioritise improving how we eat - from plot to plate - makes me utterly furious. We can't even feed those recovering properly. What kind of country is that? Anyway, I am delighted to hear you are doing well an that your excellent son is looking after you!

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Claire Ivins's avatar

I hope your recovery is speedy! Well done Adam. But how depressing that hospital food continues to be so grim. The people who are least able to have appetising good food brought in are probably those who need it most!

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Catherine Phipps's avatar

Totally agree! If I had been visiting Shariq instead of him visiting me I would have brought extra food….

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Karen Barnes's avatar

I agree it's ridiculous (not to mention depressing and inhibiting of recovery) that hospital food is so terrible. When my father was in hospital three years ago, at the John Radcliffe in Oxford, the care was excellent but the food was inedible. Surely recovery is delayed by such an appalling lack of nutrition? I know the task of improving matters is gargantuan – more than one high-profile person has attempted to do something about it – but things don't seem to have changed. It needs to be a priority, doesn't it.

By contrast, I love the stories of your son cooking with remote instructions from you upstairs. Sounds as if he's doing a great job.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, Catherine.

K x

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Catherine Phipps's avatar

It just seems nonsensical that such an important element is ignored. Especially when other parts of the NHS constantly stress the need for good nutrition from a preventative and recovery pov. It must drive all the nutritionists and dieticians working in the NHS mental!

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Catherine Phipps's avatar

And thank you! xx

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