He says the recent publication of eight new National Standards of Hospital Food for patients, staff and visitors that all NHS organisations will be legally required to meet is a really positive move.
But he acknowledges the significant pressures within the organisation and stresses that leadership, above all, is needed from Trust chief executives all the way down to teams on the wards.
Among the reasons he has been chosen as one of Public Sector Catering's 'most influential' is the work he has led to embed the food standards review recommendations in catering practice through the formation of an NHS Chef competition, the creation of the NHS Chef Academy, and using 20 ‘exemplar Trusts’ to highlight best practice.
He says: “It’s widely accepted that if we are to empower recovery through food and drink, we need a whole hospital approach, linking directly with nursing and dietetics.
“And we must also recognise the importance of our staff having access to suitable food and drink, rest areas and time to pause.”
View the full list of the Most Influential in Public Sector Catering 2022