In this episode, Professor Bronwyn Hemsley and her guests explore the complex world of mealtimes on mental health wards, including the perspectives of people with mental health conditions who experience difficulty swallowing.

Mealtimes in hospital are important for gaining access to nutrition and drinks, and should provide opportunities for enjoyment and recovery. But being on a busy mental health ward in hospital can impact on the way a consumer experiences their meals.

Discover how small changes can make mealtimes safer, calmer, and more enjoyable for people with dysphagia on mental health wards.

Thanks to the University of Technology Sydney Disability Access and Inclusion Fund for supporting co-production of this episode.

Resources:

Guthrie, S., J.Baker, J.Cahill, and B.Hemsley. 2026. “Patient Perspectives on Inpatient Mealtimes: Insights on Swallowing, Mental Wellbeing and Recovery.” International Journal of Mental Health Nursing35, no. 1: e70212. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.70212.

Dr Susan Guthrie’s Doctoral Research Thesis ‘The mealtime experiences of adults with mental illness living on inpatient wards’ - https://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/35418/

Me At Mealtimes video on Dr Susan Guthrie’s PhD research - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIg2SLHk7vY

Speech Pathology Australia – (go to ‘Find a Speech Pathologist’) - https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Host: Professor Bronwyn Hemsley

Guests: Kate Starr (Research Assistant at the University of Technolgoy Sydney, Consumer) and Dr Susan Guthrie (Principal Speech and Language therapist for Leeds and York Partnership Trust, and Honorary Research Fellow at School of Healthcare, University of Leeds)

Producer: Ali Aitken