The study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, is part of the development of the Food, with Care manifesto for the forthcoming Cambridge Children's Hospital.

‘Opportunities for social dining allow the experience of eating in hospital to feel more normal and have also been shown to promote intake of food,' said Emily Barnes, lead author and researcher at the University of Hertfordshire.

‘This is especially important in paediatric care, where child growth and development are a significant priority.'

The study found dining spaces for young people alleviated feelings of loneliness and boredom and a ‘home from home' experience could be created through parents bringing in home-cooked meals and families eating together in hospital.

The research also found social eating in hospitals significantly increased dietary intake and nutritional outcomes, improving patient wellbeing and satisfaction. 

The findings will inform the design of Cambridge Children's Hospital.  

Caroline Heyes, lead dietitian at Cambridge University Hospitals, said: ‘Food plays a vital role in recovery, well-being, and overall patient experience.

‘At Cambridge Children's Hospital, our fresh-cook kitchens, ward pantries, and inviting dining spaces will support every child in receiving the nourishment they need while also fostering the social and emotional connections that make mealtimes enjoyable and fulfilling.'