A NEW child-friendly menu is proving to be a big hit with young patients and their families after being introduced on Southend Hospital’s children’s ward.

The Greenacre Garden Menu has been launched by Medirest - the provider of catering and other services to the NHS - to meet the specific requirements of youngsters and to make meal times more fun.

The menu offers a diverse range of child-friendly food alongside an educational tray with puzzles to entertain and educate young patients.

Menu options include popular meals such as jacket potatoes with fillings to minced lamb hotpot, beef lasagne and tomato and cheese pasta alongside salad snacks pots, garlic bread, a vegetable medley, sandwiches, soups and drinks.

One patient who has already given the new menu the thumbs-up is Ellise Warner, 14, from Benfleet.

She said: “The food is really tasty, there is a nice variety.”

A new interactive tray also provides a range of great activities for varying age groups.

It includes Sudoku puzzles, anagrams, a healthy eating crossword, as well as word search, join the dots and spot the difference.

Ramune Jackauskiene, patient dining manager from Medirest, the catering firm at the hospital, said: “Choice and flexibility is key and this menu is about providing fun and healthy food that children like and enjoy.

“With a wide choice of hot and cold offers we’ve got something for everyone.

Sophie Dudley, paediatric assessment unit manager, added: “We are thrilled that the new Greenacre Garden Menu has been launched in our Neptune Ward.

“There is a wide variety of healthy choices that young patients find appealing. The feedback has already been very positive.”

Maxine Cartz, dietitian for Medirest, said: “Our Greenacre Garden brand is tailored to young children and teenagers meaning that patients of all ages can look forward to mealtimes – choosing their favourite homely, nutritious meals from a large menu.”