Thanks to an innovative partnership between its contract catering provider Sodexo and ‘unattended retail expert’ SV365 Technologies Royal Stoke has successfully launched the first automated food and drink machine to supply staff and visitors round-the-clock.
Situated alongside the hospital’s restaurant and staff rest area, the 24/7 Deli offers 55 food items and 15 hot drink items sourced from small and medium enterprises – all with sustainability ‘at the centre of the offering’.
The Trust’s action has been in response to the new standards for food and drink in healthcare that were published in November 2022 following the Independent Review of Hospital Food in 2020, chaired by Philip Shelley.
Simon Lilley, director of strategy and marketing in health and care for Sodexo UK and Ireland, said: “We were honoured to have been part of the working group which developed the new National Healthcare Food & Drink Standards, and although the focus is rightly on improving the wellbeing and recovery of patients it is just as important to do the same for those caring for them.
“Nutrition is a key part of our expertise, and this new, automated retail solution will ensure we can play our part every day, by serving a selection of hot and cold food around the clock for frontline teams, visitors and patients.
“It also critically builds on our focus of increasing support for SMEs – 57% of the products we buy in the UK are from SMEs, and now through the 24/7 Deli again we are finding another channel for smaller specialist suppliers to work with Sodexo – it’s something we are very proud of.
“Together with unattended retail experts, SV365 Technologies, we developed this solution and in late April the new offer went live at the hospital.
“Since then it has been proving popular with hospital staff and visitors, who now having access to fresh, nutritious hot and cold food options throughout the day and night.”