For the first time in Australia, futuristic-looking robots will be used for serving meals to patients on posh new plates at one of Sydney's hospitals.
According to media reports, Royal North Shore Hospital officials have changed its menu served to the patients as nutrition is crucial to good health, and shall also have Robots deliver meals to patients by the end of next year.
The computerised trolleys will guide themselves around the hospital delivering meals, linen and other supplies. The vehicles will be set on pre-programmed routes, but also use sensors to detect when someone's in the way and can even ask them to step aside.
The old menu will be replaced with a choice of hot brekkies and improved lunch, dinner and snack menus. Royal North Shore dietitian Joanne Prendergast said good food was essential to patients' wellbeing.
"Indeed, access to a safe and healthy variety of food and proper hospital nutrition is a fundamental human right," she added. The change comes after concerns were raised during the Garling Commission 2008, that food in public hospitals was of a poor standard and actually resulted in prolonged stays for some malnourished patients.
As a result of the commission, new food standards were introduced across New South Wales (NSW) in January. In another improvement at Royal North Shore, patients will also have food served on china plates, instead of disposable crockery. Fussy eaters are also catered for.
"If you tell us you don't like broccoli, we'll ensure not one stalk finds its way on to your meal tray while you are a patient with us," said Darryl Prince, who works for the company that manages the hospital's food services.