food and drink – Sensing Spaces of Healthcare: NHS Sensory Memory Bank

Memory #68

1987/88

I remember… being in … hospital to have my tonsils out – I can’t remember how long I stayed on the ward but I do remember the taste of the ice cream that I got to have every day!

Memory #67

Several years ago, I was in hospital for a mastectomy after a diagnosis of breast cancer. I’d been wheeled into the pre-op area, and the nurses and anaesthetist were chatting around me. One of them said brightly, ‘I’m going on holiday tomorrow so there’s a lemon drizzle cake in the staff room.’ I can remember mumbling – drowsily – ‘Ah, I love lemon drizzle…’ When I was returned to the ward, post-op, there on the bedside table was a huge slice of cake. To this day, I cannot think of, or taste, lemon drizzle cake without welling up. Such kindness!

Memory #63

From 2012

I remember… I was in hospital and couldn’t get a dietician – I had 4 days of baked potatoes and cheese!

Memory #56

From 2022

I remember… I like the smell of lavender, my perfume Charlie, and my favourite food is jacket potato with cheese & beans

Memory #55

From 1970s/80s

I remember… When I trained in the 1970s/80s we had protected lunch and coffee breaks – now people have to have quick breaks on wards. There is less time to decompress and talk to colleagues.

Memory #51

I remember… The taste of prawn cocktail crisps after my tonsils were taken out … the perfect cure!

Memory #45

From 1992

I remember… The taste of the orange ice cubes the night nurse made me when I was so sick I couldn’t eat.

Memory #28

From 2020

I remember… The staff were very friendly when I was admitted during lockdown – I was suffering very badly with my mental health. The food was lovely, I remember soup and a chicken burger

Memory #34

From 2019

I remember… The food – every day cheese toasties, stir fry, potatoes. My friend said you should leave that hospital! But the hospital was nicer than what I eat now because someone cooked it for me!

Memory #32

From 1970s & 80s

I remember… Not enjoying the food. It was cold soup for lunch and same for tea. Nurses & Drs were more friendly than in 2000s. Smell of everywhere like bleach – was pleasant.

Memory #25

From Not Given

I remember… My mum was a nurse (dual heritage – white & Nigerian) & worked in the NHS. She worked in Liverpool & often was a bridge between communities. For example, one patient (geriatric ward) called out ‘gari’ and the other nurses dismissed him because they thought he was calling out ‘Gary’ and he had no family. She pointed out he was asking for Nigerian food.

Memory #23

From 2004

I remember… Being in the infirmary with a perforated ulcer, I couldn’t eat after the operation … A Spanish nurse used to make fortified drinks for me which helped a lot. It later transpired I was nauseated from the pain-killers I was being given but I always remembered the nurse & the drinks!