He was elected to the position at the HCA’s annual meeting earlier this month, taking over from Janice Gillan, who has just finished her two years at the head of the association.
On his appointment Jones says: “While we must continually aim for higher levels of service for our patients, staff and visitors to meet their expectations, we are facing major challenges as significant savings and economies have to be made in all areas of the NHS over the coming years.
“Maintaining high quality hospital food, sourced as sustainably as possible and operating cost-effective, efficient catering services within a National Health Service that is facing the biggest budget cuts since it began, is going to be demanding for all hospital catering managers.
“But I am committed to ensuring that the HCA provides the necessary support and tools to enable them to continue to deliver a dynamic service that meets patient expectations.
“As the incoming chair of the HCA, I will be focused on spearheading campaigns and initiatives that will enable hospital caterers to not only continue to achieve those high standards but most importantly, safeguard the nutritional care of all of our patients.”
Jones has been an active member of the HCA for more than 20 years, being awarded the HCA Caterer of the Year in 2007. He has held the post of national vice chair of the association for the past two years.
He has previously been chair of the HCA West Midlands branch, which he represented on the HCA National Council from 2008 to 2013. He also serves on the HCA National Executive Committee.
He began his career in patient catering over 30 years ago, and his commitment to patient nutrition and hydration means he is currently involved in the government’s nutritional action plan and is also on working groups within the healthcare commission.
He is involved in the revision of standards with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which includes a review of the Standard 5 document.
He was part of the HCA working party with the Department of Health looking at food governance and the review of the PEAT (patient environment action team) audit process to ensure it is up to date and more focused on patient needs.
He also works with both the Royal College of Nursing and the National Patient Safety Agency on projects such as the provision of dysphagic meals and the development of the Ten Key Characteristics fact sheets.
He is a Member of the PS100 Group and for his service and contribution to NHS catering was presented with the Catey Public Sector Caterer Award in 2012.
A qualified chef, Jones says: “No matter what method of food preparation a hospital uses – freshly-cooked on the premises or cook chill/cook freeze – it is vital that the highest standards are in place to make sure it reaches the patient in optimum condition so contributes to their wellbeing and recovery.”
He says his mantra is to “treat every patient as if he or she is a member of your own family” and he is known for tirelessly campaigning for a patient-centred service that is ultimately owned by hospital caterers and enhances a patient’s experience, irrespective of their length of stay in hospital.
Another of his objectives is to eradicate malnutrition and under-nourishment for people while they are in hospital.
His career began in 1981 at Leicester General Hospital where he was a trainee chef, progressing through the ranks to become catering manager in 1991. He remained in post for two years before becoming in 1993 the training and quality manager.
When the trust decided to remove the contracted management service, he was asked to take up the post. The key challenges were to improve quality and finances, both of which he achieved.
In 1995 Leicester General Catering Services were contracted out to ISS Mediclean and Jones became catering services manager.
He was promoted to unit business manager with responsibility for several catering, domestic and car park contracts.
He is currently service development director for leading NHS and health care catering private contractor ISS Facility Services – Healthcare, Education and Defence.