The hospital's catering staff try to cover all the different dietary and cultural needs but patients can always request help with special diets. Ward staff can ask the chef to visit you. Wards also have protected mealtimes for lunch and evening meals. This is to allow patients to eat their meals without being interrupted by either visitors or by standard medical tests. So it's worth letting your visitors know the mealtimes on your ward.
Minerva Restaurant
The Minerva Restaurant on the first floor of E Block is open to everyone for lunch, Monday to Friday, from 11.45am to 2pm.
A range of Sandwiches & salads sold Monday - Friday from 10.00am
Minerva Café (fast food bar), also on the first floor of E Block, Serving a selection of hot and cold food.
Opening times are:
Breakfast, Monday to Friday - 8.00am to 11.00am; Saturday & Sunday - 8.00am - 11.00am.
Drink & Sandwiches, Monday to Sunday - 11.00am to 11.45am.
Lunch, Monday to Sunday - 11.45am to 2.30pm.
Public Holidays, Monday to Friday - 9.00am to 4.30pm
Meeting Place Coffee Shop
Located at the Main Entrance on the Ground Floor - Serves light snacks and beverages.
Opening times are:
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 2.00pm.
Saturday to Sunday, 3.45pm - 7.00pm
Night Service in Minerva Meeting Place Coffee Shop
Opening times are:
Monday to Friday, 9.30pm - 2.00am
Saturday to Sunday, 10.00pm - 2.00pm
Vending machines
Vending machines are around the hospital selling cold drinks, sweets and chocolates.
Shops
The WRVS runs three shops around the hospital - just off the main entrance, in the maternity unit and on the main corridor between C and D blocks.
They sell a variety of items including toiletries, food, newspapers, magazines and flowers, and the shop just off the main entrance also sells lottery tickets.
What other facilities are available for patients and visitors at the hospital?
There is a cash machine in the main entrance - there is no charge to use this. And there is a Royal Mail post-box also in the main entrance, which is emptied daily Monday to Saturday.
Wheelchairs are available at the main entrance for use by patients to get to different medical departments and wards. These are £1 coin-operated, just like a supermarket trolley, and between 8.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, customer care assistants are available to help patients and visitors get to departments and wards. Just ask about this at the main reception desk.
Are there security arrangements at the hospital at night?
Access to the main hospital at night is via the main entrance and these doors are locked between 10.30pm and 5.30am. During that time, anyone who wants to come in will be asked by staff for the reason they are visiting and will have to sign in and out at the reception desk. Checks are also made with wards and departments before anyone is allowed to visit there at these times.
Are there facilities for parents to feed or change young children?
There are special areas around the hospital where you can feed or change your child. The customer care service in the main reception has the information you need, or ask the reception staff.