"Food provision for parents of child patients"

My infant child was recently admitted to Fiona Stanley Hospital. We stayed two nights while they were being observed and tested for a variety of viruses including Covid-19. As a result, we had to stay in the room for the entire time as a precaution, and I believe all staff had to do PPE when entering the room until the results came through. When the patient is a baby they, of course, must have a parent or guardian with them at all times when possible. However, because my baby was the patient and not me, that meant they got meals when I didn't. This was an issue because I could not leave the room at all for the 2 nights we were there. I had my partner deliver food but this was not an easy solution, and I can only imagine how hard it would be for families with difficult work/family commitments and transportation issues. The nurses did bring me a sandwich or some crackers if I asked for them, however, in my opinion, I see this as a band-aid solution for a problem that is not going to go away.

I believe very young children and their parent/guardians are a package deal and should be treated as such, particularly when the parent is staying in the hospital with the child. Perhaps there could be a system where a parent can have a limited meal as well, coded into the system. Or, at the very least, if they could pay for the meal themselves or order a meal from the food court to be brought up to the room.

Otherwise, we were treated very well by all medical staff, and I applaud their professionalism and caring during this difficult time. In my opinion, having the meal situation sorted for parents/guardians who must stay in the room will make the experience must smoother, and less demanding on the staff's time.

Food