The Hospital Caterers Association (HCA) believes caterers should expect greater support for their role in improving National Health Service food standards. They are also calling for recognition for the contribution food provision in hospitals continues to make to patients' welfare.
The calls come as fruit and vegetables rise higher up the agenda at the department of health which has already spearheaded other initiatives to improve the health of the nation such as the national school fruit scheme.
These issues will form the key theme at the HCA 2004 conference, centred specifically on the individual needs of the hospital caterers. Hospital food is now increasingly acknowledged as being as integral to patient care as medication or treatment. Latest government figures regarding patient satisfaction with meals show 372 hospitals (44 per cent), compared to 118 in 2002 have achieved a "green" rating (good).
Chairman of the Hospital Caterers Association Neil Watson-Jones said: "Big issues are looming for the NHS and these will affect the future of each and everyone involved in NHS catering."
The conference will be held on April 28-30 at the Hilton Brighton Metropole and is entitled "It's All About YOU - The Hospital Caterer" aims to create an interactive environment with an eminent panel of experts fro the media, government and the NHS who will cover a range of issues.
