The Hospital Caterers Association (HCA) Leadership and Development Forum 2024 was held at the Macdonald’s Resort, Aviemore in the heart of the Scottish Highlands.
Distance did not put off more than 350 delegates and exhibitors attending, what was considered an overwhelmingly success Forum.
The Forum was facilitated by TV Journalist, Rachel McTavish and included a range of speakers covering all aspects that affect the hospital caterer as they strive to deliver a first-class patient experience in healthcare establishments, large and small, across the 4 Nations of the UK.
After the opening ceremony, Professor David Foskett OBE reminded everyone that the catering teams are all part of the wider hospitality industry and that we should help every staff member to value their importance in the NHS – without facilities staff like the catering staff and their colleagues at ward level, the hospital would cease to function very quickly.
Dr Hans Hartung, a Consultant in Respiratory Medicine and Staff Wellbeing & Support Clinical Lead at NHS Ayrshire & Arran Trust led a session focussing on staff wellbeing, focussing on the physical, emotional and mental health of the whole catering team. This session acted as a foundation for a workshop later in the day, which was extremely well attended.
Angela Tregear, Professor of Marketing at the University of Edinburgh Business School, and Tim Radcliffe, HCA Board Director and Net Zero Programme Manager at NHS England, contributed to a session focusing on how we need to manage our carbon footprint to meet the overall NHS commitment. This session also led to another very well attended workshop, where delegates were able to share their own experiences and listen to other ideas and practices proving successful elsewhere.
Later that evening the HCA Awards were the high point of the Presidents Dinner, where National Secretary, and Forum Secretary, Janice Gillan was presented with the Wilma Wilkie Outstanding Service Award. There were also Special Contribution Awards for Karoline Rowlands, North Bristol NHS Trust and Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, who is standing down as the Association’s President at the upcoming AGM.
Date: 30 April