Food & Drink Safety Pause

Before food and drink, STOP and think!

Before EVERY meal, snack or beverage service all relevant staff must participate in a short SAFETY PAUSE led by the
Meal Time Coordinator. During the safety pause the following meal time safety concerns must be considered and shared
with the whole team:

 Has the Patient and  Have you identified the
the Environment people in your care with
been prepared for the eating, drinking and
meal and / or swallowing
beverage service? recommendations in
place for food and/or
 Have those patients
drinks?
who require  What level of supervision
assistance and/or is recommended?
supervision with food  Is the correct meal/food/
and drinks been drink consistency
identified? available?
 Is there a food chart
available to monitor
intake?
 Have you identified
 Have you identified
the people in your
the people in your
care at risk of
care with Food
malnutrition and / or
Allergens?
dehydration?
 Have you identified
those who require:
 Is the allergen free
meal/food available? - extra helpings
- extra snacks
- Fortified food &
drinks?
 Is there a food chart
available to monitor
intake? March 2022
Bed signage used in NHSCT hospitals

March 2022