With the UK in lockdown, a determination to keep things normal, whatever that may be, has meant many occasions taking on new and wonderful forms.
A case in point is the Hospital Caterers Association (HCA) annual awards ceremony. The winners were due to be announced at the 2020 HCA Forum on 2-3 April. While the event was cancelled, the HCA feels that now, more than ever, the outstanding commitment and dedication shown by those working in healthcare catering and patient services needs to be recognised and rewarded.
Craig Smith, chair of the HCA commented: “In these unprecedented circumstances, I’m constantly amazed by the dedication and resilience of our members in continuing to step up to the task at hand and go above and beyond. These awards are a celebration of the excellence and innovation we see daily, and it is our hope that they provide a morale boost at this challenging time.”
Education, training and appreciation
With awareness and gratitude for what the NHS does every day at the forefront of public perception at the moment, the fact that the NHS is the UK’s largest provider of meals may not make the headlines. The facts are over 300 million meals are served every year and around £500 million is spent on food annually by around 300 NHS Trusts across approximately 1,200 hospitals.
The HCA aims to promote the development and improvement of catering standards in hospitals and healthcare establishments in the UK. This takes the form of education and training of persons in healthcare catering services, and the provision and improvement of the professional interests and status of those engaged in health care catering services.
Team effort
Nicola Strawther, winner of the Efficiency and Improvement Award alongside her colleague Chris Neale commented: “We were delighted to receive the fantastic news that we won. I want to thank the HCA for choosing our project as the winner, it was a huge team effort and we will ensure the team are recognised for the hard work involved. We very much appreciate it and feel very humbled and honoured to be chosen.”
Phil Shelley (pictured), Taunton & Somerset NHS facilities manager, South West Branch, was the winner of the Wilma Wilkie Outstanding Service Award 2020, sponsored by HCA.
Below is a list of finalists and winners:
Caterer of the Year 2020, sponsored by Hobart UK
Winner: Tony O’Hara, senior manager patient experience, South Eastern (Northern Ireland Branch)
Finalists: Chris Neale & Nicola Strawther, Nottingham University Hospital NHS trust (Trent Branch)
Caterer Service of the Year 2020, sponsored by NH Case
Winner: Catering Team – NHS Ayrshire & Arran (West
of Scotland Branch)
Finalists: Catering Services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (Trent Branch), Catering Team, Acute Catering, South Eastern Trust (Northern Ireland Branch)
Efficiency & Improvement Award, sponsored by Hefma
Winner: Chris Neale & Nicola Strawther, Nottingham University Hospital NHS trust (Trent Branch)
Finalists: Joe Gilbey, Retail Lead, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (West of Scotland Branch)
Catering Strategy Team:
Winner: NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (West of Scotland Branch)
Special Contribution Award, sponsored by HCA
Winner: Paul Kavanagh
National – Rising Star Award, sponsored by HCA,
Winner: Wendy Bone, deputy catering manager, NHS Ayrshire & Arran (West of Scotland Branch)
National – Leadership & Excellence Award, sponsored by HCA
Winner: Karen McLaughlin, deputy community services manager, Northern Health & Social Care NHS Trust (Northern Ireland Branch)
Finalist: Chris Neale, Nottingham University Hospital NHS trust (Trent Branch)
Chairman’s Choice, sponsored by HCA
Winner: South West Branch
Finalists: Northern Ireland, Trent, Wales, West of Scotland
Wilma Wilkie Outstanding Service Award 2020, sponsored by HCA
Winner: Phil Shelley (pictured), South West Branch
Jacquetta Picton
