NHS Lothian’s Catering Team at St John’s Hospital have surprised patients with celebratory high teas to mark the King’s Coronation.
The team, who make and bake all food on site frequently look for opportunities to surprise patients, helping to make a hospital stay that little bit more pleasant.
Over three days the team delivered high teas consisting of sandwiches, scones, cakes and traybakes to every inpatient across the hospital.
Tony Hunter, site services manager catering/retail, St John’s Hospital, NHS Lothian said, “For many patients, a stay in hospital can be very difficult, which is often amplified if they are missing out on a big event or holiday.
"The team wanted to do something to surprise patients, and which tied in with the large-scale celebrations taking place across the country for the King’s Coronation, so a high tea felt like a perfect option.
“The team have worked tirelessly to produce all the additional food, so that every inpatient could enjoy their very own high tea. This included baking over 370 extra scones and treats over the three days!”
This isn’t the first time that the St John’s Catering Team have surprised patients either, last summer during some of the hottest days, they delighted patients in the children’s wards with deliveries of ice-creams.
Andy Mackay, site director, St John’s Hospital, NHS Lothian said, “When you think of hospitals, you often automatically think of doctors and nurses, but behind the scenes there are many other incredible teams doing very important work. This includes catering staff, porters, domestics, facilities staff and admin staff to name a few.
“Anyone who has spent time at St John’s Hospital, either as a patient or a visitor, will likely have interacted with our Catering Team, either when they used our canteen or when they ate their meal in their ward. We are incredibly lucky to have such a skilled, dedicated and inventive team, who make everything from scratch on-site.
“Food can be such an important thing for both patients and staff. It not only gives us vital energy and nutrients, but it can improve our mood, help us reminisce or comfort us if we are feeling low. I am incredibly proud of our Catering Team; they continually go the extra mile for our patients and the St John’s family. Thank you for everything you do.”
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