Stepping Hill Hospital’s catering manager has won the top hospital prize at a prestigious national awards ceremony.
Duncan O’Neil received the title of ‘Hospital Catering of the Year’ at this year’s Public Sector Catering Awards, which were announced at a ceremony presented by Jeremy Vine at the Metropole Hilton Hotel in London on Thursday, 7th April. Duncan took the title in a contest with other top NHS catering managers and teams from across the UK.
Stepping Hill Hospital’s catering team was also shortlisted for three other titles on the evening, with Duncan also being shortlisted for the overall ‘Catering Manager of the Year’, Head Chef Nick Roberts shortlisted in the ‘Hospital Catering’ category, and the team as a whole being selected for the ‘Team of the Year’ category.
Under Duncan’s leadership the catering department has worked to ensure high nutritional standards, both for the meals it provides on the wards, and for its staff and visitor restaurant too. Themed food days have contributed toward a wide and varied choice of cuisine which receives consistently good feedback.
Duncan has been praised by colleagues for his hard work, innovation, and his dedication to improving staff morale during the tough times of the pandemic, helping to organise special ‘Foodie Fridays’ together with outside food vendors to provide colleagues with reduced price treats during selected periods. He is described as a supportive boss who helps colleagues to progress in their roles.
Together, the team have helped organise a complete hospital refurbishment in the past year to create a more comfortable and welcoming environment, and the introduction of a new electronic ordering system for patients on the wards has ensured patients have a wide and easily accessible choice, and that food wastage is kept to a minimum.
Last year, the team was as an ‘exemplar site’ for demonstrating high NHS catering standards, one of just 14 across the country.
Paul Featherstone, Director of Estates and Facilities said “It’s really terrific to see Duncan receive ‘Hospital Catering of the Year’ title at the Public Sector Awards. He has performed outstandingly both in maintaining high standards and in raising the morale of his team, and it’s very satisfying to see that recognised at a national level. Nick Roberts and the whole team have done so well to be shortlisted too, they can all be very proud of themselves.”