Catering team is RUH winner

The team behind patient meals at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust has been honoured for its dedication to putting fresh, healthy and locally-sourced produce on the menu.

Since 2017 work has been underway to design and test new recipes, transforming the range of options available for inpatients at the hospital. Healthy and nutritious food supports patients in their recovery, both physically and mentally.

The Catering team starts each day by preparing fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and meat to use in a delicious variety of recipes, including soups, casseroles, pies, quiches, pasta dishes and curries.

In March the team's hard work was recognised with a bronze Food for Life Served Here award from the Soil Association, which recognises caterers that meet sustainable, nutritious standards. Patient satisfaction ratings have increased too.

On Friday the team was named the Trust's Team of the Year at the annual New Year's Honours Awards ceremony, held at the Assembly Rooms in Bath. Staff were presented with the award by actor Kris Marshall, best known for starring roles in television shows My Family and Death in Paradise and film Love Actually.

Catering and Quality Systems Manager Jason Joyce said: "The kitchen staff really went on a journey and they rose to the challenge.

"They have all supported each other as they've learnt new skills, and we're really proud of the fresh and tasty food that we send out each day for our patients.

"Being named Team of the Year is fantastic recognition, but above all it feels really good to be making a difference to the experience that our patients have while they're in hospital." The Catering team was just one of the Trust teams and individuals recognised for achievements in 2018 at the awards ceremony.

Brian Stables, Chairman of the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Every year we're impressed by the innovation, dedication and passion demonstrated by our awards nominees.

"The special thing about the awards is that nominations are made by staff. Anyone can make a nomination for a team or individual who's making a difference to the care we're offering our patients, either directly or indirectly.

"We strive to offer the highest quality of care, and it's a privilege to recognise that commitment every year with our awards ceremony."

You can watch the Catering team in action here: youtu.be/6RfRsp3thLA

Other winners were:

• Most Innovative Team of the Year – Academy Library.
• Chief Executive's Highly Commended Team of the Month award – Respiratory ward with colleagues from Chaplaincy, Palliative Care and Art at the Heart.
• Chief Executive's Customer Care of the Year Award – Jasmin Grant and Freya Crawford, Staff Nurses in Intensive Care.
• Patient Safety & Quality Improvement Award – Veronica Lyell, Consultant.
• Research and Development Award – Sandi Derham, Occupational Therapist Clinical Specialist.
• Personal Achievement Award – Andrew Owens, Associate Audiologist; Zara Murphy, Physiotherapist; Nathan Jones, Anticoagulation Pharmacist; Sonya James, Healthcare Science Assistant in Cardiology.
• Outstanding Student of the Year Award – Stephen Norman, Trainee Nursing Associate.
• Volunteer of the Year Award – Martin Fricker and Fudge, a Pets as Therapy dog; Malcolm Pearce, The Forever Friends Appeal.
• Nursing and Midwifery Care and Compassion Award – Loraine Dury, Healthcare Assistant.
• Nursing and Midwifery Making a Difference Award – Karen Skelley, Chemotherapy Nurse Specialist.
• Nursing and Midwifery Nurse of the Year Award – Emma Girling, Acute Oncology Nurse Specialist.

ENDS

Notes to Editor

• For more information about the Soil Association Food for Life Served Here accreditation standards visit:
  www.foodforlife.org.uk/catering/food-for-life-served-here
• The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust provides acute treatment and care for a catchment population of around 500,000 people in Bath, and the surrounding towns and villages in North East Somerset and Western Wiltshire. The hospital provides healthcare to the population served by four Clinical Commissioning Groups: Bath & North East Somerset CCG, Wiltshire CCG, Somerset CCG and South Gloucestershire CCG.
• The Trust has 759 beds and a comprehensive range of acute services including medicine and surgery, services for women and children, accident and emergency services, and diagnostic and clinical support services.
• In 2015 The Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust acquired the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) NHS Foundation Trust. The RNHRD treats patients from across the country offering services in rheumatology, chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, cancer related fatigue and fatigue linked to other long term conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
• The RUH is changing - we have an exciting programme of redevelopment underway transforming our site and further improving the services we provide. The Trust is building a purpose built RNHRD and Therapies Centre and is now working towards a new Dyson Cancer Centre. For more details visit: www.ruh.nhs.uk/fit4future

Download printable version