A WOMAN claims her husband was forced to make her meals at her hospital bedside because staff would not accommodate her diet.
Julie Perkins was admitted to Worcestershire Royal Hospital with chronic pancreatitis and was told to avoid dairy and fatty foods as it could make her symptoms worse.
However, the Malvern resident claims the hospital kept trying to feed her full-fat yoghurts, cottage pie, which contained dairy and fats and toast with butter on it.
It led Mrs Perkin's husband, Michael, to buy chopping boards, cutlery, and plates so he could make her bedside meals to stop her from "starving".
"If I ate the foods they were providing, I would have been in agony and really ill," she said.
"I would have gone three days without food (if it was not for my husband).
"It is disheartening. I was crying and begging to go home."
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Worcestershire Royal Hospital said reduced fat, fat-free and lactose-free menu options are available for patients and should have been made clear.
Mrs Perkins said to eat diary, she needed to have special medication prescribed by the hospital's gastroenterologist, but after three days, she still was not seen.
Mr Perkins said: "When I did my vows, I said in sickness and in health, and I meant it, but I should not be doing this. They (Worcestershire Royal Hospital) should be.
"They have a big enough kitchen and staff if I can do it from a bedside table.
"There is no excuse whatsoever."
Mrs Perkins was first taken into hospital on November 19 and discharged herself three days later on November 21.
Mrs Perkins added: "After three days, I had enough. I was really tired, hungry and emotional."
Sarah Shingler, chief nursing officer at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said she is sorry to hear about the couple's experience.
"Reduced fat, fat-free and lactose-free menu options are available for patients, and we apologise that this wasn't made clear," she said.
"We are in contact with Ms Perkins and will be responding to her concerns directly."
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