Royal Surrey becomes a Sophie's Legacy approved hospital | News

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust has achieved official status as a Sophie’s Legacy Approved Hospital, recognising the improvements the Trust has made for children and families staying in hospital.

Working in partnership with Medirest, its catering, cleaning and portering contractor, the Trust’s status recognises its commitment to enhancing patient experience and ensuring that food and nutrition remain an integral part of patient care. 

Sophie's Legacy was established in memory of Sophie Fairall and the positive changes she hoped to see in healthcare. While receiving treatment for cancer at the age of nine, Sophie identified several improvements that would make hospital stays better for children and their families, including providing meals for the parents and carers of children in hospital.

The recognition celebrates three commitments across the Trust's children’s services:

• Providing meals for parents who stay overnight with their child.
• Offering an up-to-date menu designed specifically for children.
• Providing Play Specialist support seven days a week.

A special presentation event was held at the hospital and attended by Charlotte Fairall, founder of Sophie’s Legacy and Sophie’s mum, who presented the accreditation and joined colleagues to mark the achievement. 

Charlotte said: “It was a privilege to present this status and celebrate the commitment shown by both Royal Surrey and Medirest. 

“This achievement demonstrates the positive impact that can be made when organisations work together to put patients and their families first. 

“We want to help take the pressure off, so parents don’t have to think about leaving their child to get some food. All you are worried about when you are in hospital with your child is your child - we don’t want parents to be worrying about anything else.

“It’s just amazing that five years after Sophie died, we have got to the hospital that we started supporting back in 2022.

“It was incredibly special to see how much our support has grown since those early days and to know that Sophie’s legacy is making a real difference to families at Royal Surrey.”

In November 2024, Medirest announced it was the first hospital caterer to offer free meals to the parents and carers of children on extended clinical care plans in its partner hospitals, as part of their commitment to Sophie’s Legacy. 

Emilia Nimmergut, Head of Food, added: “We are incredibly proud to have helped to achieve this important milestone. 

“Patient wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do, and this recognition reflects the dedication of colleagues across both organisations who work tirelessly to deliver the best possible experience for the children we work with and their families.

“It makes a massive difference for children and parents because the parents don’t have to leave them. They can have a meal together.”