Feeding Buddy

Southend Hospital are looking for Feeding Buddies to help patients who are unable or find it difficult to feed themselves. This is a vital role which directly impacts on a patient’s wellbeing

Key Duties:

• Assist with the feeding of patients on wards.

• Liaise with trained staff regarding patients' choice of meals.

• Ensure that the appropriate utensil and feeding aids are used at all times.

• Speak to patients' engaging them in conversations during mealtimes.

• Feedback to nursing staff regarding patients' food intake, before leaving the ward area.

• Ensure that patients are seated comfortably before the meal starts

• Ensure that all patients fed are offered and given choice of fluid refreshments (within reason) and as appropriate.

• Volunteers will respect patients' wishes and report to ward nurses any adverse occurrences.

• Volunteers will ensure that patients they feed are left clean and tidy and uneaten food items removed.

• Volunteers will feed patients as instructed by the trained nurses on the wards.

• All volunteers will be polite and at all times maintain patient's privacy and dignity.

• No volunteers will be asked or involved in moving/handling technique of any patients.

• Previous experience of caring for a loved one desirable but not essential

Skills

• Excellent communication skills

• Excellent customer care skills

• Excellent listening skills

• A kindly nature