Download your FREE copy of apetito's market research report, 'Shaping the Future of Paediatric Catering'
Read apetito's paediatric research report, 'Shaping the Future of Paediatric Catering', developed in collaboration with Sophie's Legacy, to gain insight into the challenges and opportunities in paediatric catering.
A Sector Ready for Change
We know the food served to children in hospital is more than just fuel, it's an important part of their path to recovery.
Our report, 'Shaping the Future of Paediatric Catering', explores the current state of paediatric catering and identifies opportunities to create more consistent and effective services that better support children and families throughout their hospital experience.
This report draws upon responses from a survey carried out across children that had been, or were currently in hospital, their parents, ward staff, and healthcare and industry decision makers.
What's inside the report?
Designed around systems, not children
Children's nutrition plays an important role in recovery, wellbeing and the overall hospital experience. While hospitals work hard to provide meals that meet a wide range of nutritional and dietary needs, children's meals are often shaped by existing adult catering models, rather than being designed around children's needs from the outset. Children favour meals that feel familiar, simple and recognisable, particularly in hospital where routine is disrupted.
More than food: the missing mealtime experience
Improving paediatric catering goes beyond the food itself, with increasing emphasis placed on creating a more positive and supportive mealtime experience for children. Mealtimes should support interaction, confidence and a sense of normality.
A sector ready for change
Children, parents and decision-makers are not calling for fundamentally different solutions - there is strong alignment on what needs to change, providing a clear foundation for the sector to move forward, supported by clearer standards, appropriate resources and a more integrated approach to delivery.
apetito Healthcare are proud to support the work of Sophie's Legacy, a charity dedicated to improving the experience of children in hospital.
To find out more about their work, click the link below: