Patients to benefit from new electronic meal ordering system at Gloucestershire Hospitals

Patients at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General Hospital will soon be able to order their meals electronically as Gloucestershire Managed Services (GMS) rolls out a new Electronic Meal Ordering System (EMOS) across both sites.

Replacing traditional paper menus, EMOS allows patients to view menu options, access dietary and allergen information, and order meals using a smartphone, tablet or ward device. The system has been designed to give patients more choice and flexibility while helping staff ensure meals are tailored to individual needs.

The new system has already been successfully trialled on Guiting and Tivoli wards at Cheltenham General Hospital, with positive feedback from both staff and patients. The rollout is now taking place across all wards at Cheltenham General Hospital, with plans to begin at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital from August.

Patients can place their own orders by scanning a QR code at their bedside, while ward teams can continue to support anyone who is unable to order independently. The system also provides instant access to dietary and allergen information, helping patients make informed choices and supporting safe meal ordering.

For staff, the move to digital ordering will reduce the need for paper-based processes and help streamline meal ordering across the hospitals. The system can easily adapt to admissions, discharges and bed moves, helping ensure meals reach the right patient at the right time. It is also expected to help reduce food waste by providing more accurate, real-time ordering information.

Sue Gott, Associate Director of Facilities, said, “We’re always looking for ways to improve the experience our patients have while in hospital. EMOS gives patients greater control over their meal choices, improves access to important dietary information and makes the ordering process simpler and more efficient.”

“The system also helps our teams work more effectively behind the scenes, reducing paperwork and supporting a more sustainable approach to meal ordering. We’re pleased to now be rolling this out more widely across both hospitals.”

The rollout supports GMS’s commitment to embracing new technology that improves services for patients while supporting the NHS’s ambition to make greater use of digital solutions. By reducing reliance on printed menus and streamlining manual processes, EMOS will also contribute to wider sustainability goals.