Hospital Christmas dinner with all the trimmings

Pavlova is one of the possible desserts for patients in Whanganui Hospital at Christmas. Photo / Alan Gibson

Patients at Whanganui Hospital will be served a traditional Christmas Day dinner.

They can choose roast lamb or roast chicken served with roast vegetables, baby carrots and peas or a vegetarian filo roll with roast vegetables, baby carrots and peas.

For dessert the choices are steamed plum pudding served with brandy sauce; pavlova with berry sauce; or sugar-free jelly and fruit. Surprise Christmas treats will top off the meal.

The evening meal will begin with roasted pumpkin soup, followed by a choice of glazed ham (served with steamed gourmet potatoes and salad); a roast turkey and cranberry sauce sandwich with salad; or roast vegetable and feta salad.

Evening desserts will be a choice of double chocolate mousse with a gingerbread man, stewed fruit, or jelly and ice cream.

Supper will be cheese and crackers, or berry yoghurt.

Patients at Palmerston North Hospital and the Horowhenua Health Centre will be served the same menu.

Depending on patient numbers, around 100 meals are likely to be served each mealtime by Spotless Services in Whanganui Hospital, around 200 in Palmerston North Hospital and around 20 at Horowhenua Health Centre.

Outside of the hospitals and health centres, 120 Palmerston North, 30 Whanganui and around 50 rural people will get a Meals on Wheels menu of roast turkey or roast lamb with all the trimmings.