Parents and carers of children staying at OUH now offered free meals

Parents and carers staying with children receiving inpatient care at Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) can now access free meals during their child's hospital stay, thanks to a new initiative delivered by Mitie in partnership with the charity Sophie’s Legacy.

Mitie, which provides catering and support services across OUH, has introduced the scheme to ensure parents and carers have access to nutritious meals without having to leave their child's bedside or face the additional financial burden often associated with extended hospital stays.

The initiative supports the mission of Sophie’s Legacy, a charity established in memory of Sophie Fairall. During Sophie’s treatment for cancer, mum Charlotte recognised the challenges families face while caring for a child in hospital and campaigned for parents and carers to receive free hospital meals. She understood the importance of families being able to remain with their child, and highlighted that the cost of purchasing meals during a hospital stay can amount to as much as £15 to £18 per day for each parent.

Parents and carers at the John Radcliffe and Horton General Hospitals can now choose from a dedicated menu of free meal options, helping to ensure they have a nourishing meal a day while remaining close to their child throughout their hospital stay.

Zoe Pooley, Matron at OUH's Children's Hospital, said: "We pride ourselves on delivering family-centred care, and Sophie's Legacy is another way of helping us deliver this. We are very grateful to our Mitie colleagues for their collaboration, as well as our colleagues at Oxford Hospitals Charity for their continued support across our Children’s Hospital.

"Ultimately, it comes down to the fact that if parents' welfare needs are met, including providing food, they are better equipped to care for their sick child and are more able to be there for them, which is the most important aspect of all.”

Charlotte Fairall, Sophie’s mother, Founder and CEO of Sophie’s Legacy, said: "This initiative will make a meaningful difference to countless families who are navigating the challenges of caring for a child in hospital. Seeing Sophie’s wish come to life is a dream come true, and I am hopeful even more hospitals follow suit and ensure that parents receive the nourishment they need during these difficult times."

Andy Sharp, Account Director at Mitie, said: "We are very proud to have worked with the team at OUH to roll out this initiative, ensuring that parents and carers of children receive good, nutritious food while their child is being treated in hospital.”

Annu Sharma, Head of Dietetics & Patient Catering Development at Mitie, added: “Our teams are privileged to be able to provide this support and help make a positive difference to families during what can be an incredibly challenging time."

Alongside the introduction of free meals for parents and carers, Mitie has also launched a new daily snack trolley service for children staying on the Trust's inpatient paediatric wards.

The snack trolley visits every inpatient paediatric ward each day at 2pm, offering a wide selection of healthy snacks including fresh fruit, vegetables, rice cakes, and freshly made milkshakes ahead of the evening meal service.

Before visiting patients, the ward hostess checks with the clinical team for any dietary requirements, allergies, or patients who are nil by mouth. The hostess then visits each bed space to offer suitable snacks to children who are able to eat, helping to provide additional choice and support good nutrition throughout their stay.

The introduction of both initiatives reflects the shared commitment of OUH, Mitie, Sophie’s Legacy, and Oxford Hospitals Charity to improving the experience of children and families in hospital by providing practical, compassionate support when it is needed most.