HOSPITAL cooks are ditching their nondescript white crockery for a colourful alternative - after a unique trial found yellow plates encouraged patients to eat more food at every meal.

The move follows a successful pilot scheme run within the dementia ward at Furness General Hospital, in Barrow, which was found to have encouraged patients to eat 10 extra grams of their meal when served on the brightly-coloured plates compared to plain alternatives.

Now, thanks to a grant of £16,083 from the Royal Voluntary Service, every patient at Furness General Hospital, in Barrow, as well as at Westmorland General in Kendal and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, will benefit from the innovative scheme which uses the advanced colour pyschology to encourage eating.

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It is hoped it will boost nutrition and recovery rates among patients, particularly those who are frail, elderly or who have conditions such as dementia.

Dianne Smith, the matron for dementia at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, said: “People with dementia often experience visual problems including not being able to distinguish between different colours. "Studies have shown that this can compound difficulties at mealtimes.

"If the crockery is a similar colour to the food being served then a person with dementia may not be able to see the contrast and recognise the food that is there to be eaten."

The new plates and bowls, called the freedom range, are specially designed to have high sides to make it easier for people to eat while they are ill.

They are also being used in the public canteens.

Sue Smith, the trust's executive chief nurse, said: "Some patients find mealtimes harder than others so the new crockery will help those patients who may need additional support.

"The use of colour in crockery also helps stimulate interest in patients with dementia, enhances food presentation but it also encourages appetite.

"On behalf of the trust, I’d like to thank the RVS for their incredibly generous gift which allows us to continue to improve our support for those patients with dementia and is another example of our trust’s continuing commitment to improving patient care."