Healthcare Caterers International
The Hospital Caterers Association
Formed in 1948, the Hospital Caterers Association (HCA) is the professional body representing almost 400 senior healthcare catering managers who provide a wide range of food services for patients, visitors and hospital and medical staff in NHS hospitals and healthcare facilities UK wide.
Founded by 25 London Hospital Catering Officers, the HCA was one of the first professional associations to be formed within the National Health Service. Whilst its first branches were established in the North and Scotland in the 1950’s, the HCA has now grown to 17 branches throughout the UK. With over 250 NHS Trusts represented in its membership, the HCA network is the single largest group of healthcare catering providers within the NHS.
The HCA’s network of members is responsible for the jobs of 35,000 people, 80% of which are hospital chefs and kitchen based catering staff. Amongst its Associate membership are over 100 suppliers who are responsible for the supply of millions of pounds worth of food, services and equipment to the hospital catering sector.
With over 300 million meals served every year and around £500 million spent on food annually by around 300 NHS Trusts across approximately 1200 hospitals, the NHS is the UK catering industry’s largest provider of meals.
In order to provide its members with the appropriate knowledge, support and assistance in achieving and maintaining the highest standards of catering service, the Association implements a range of specialist services and high profile initiatives, which are detailed in this document.
The HCA constitution ensures that its branches, through Council, control the Association. This reflects the diversity of hospital catering and of our branches. It is a major factor in the strength and survival of the Association.
By continuing to foster strong links with the Government and other influential bodies, the HCA aims to raise the status of the Association, to encourage greater respect for the role of hospital catering and to increase understanding of the operational and financial challenges, which face hospital caterers.
The aims and objectives of the Association are:
- The promotion and improvement of the standards of catering in hospitals
and healthcare in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and elsewhere - The education and training of persons engaged
in healthcare catering services - The provision and improvement of the professional interests and
status of those engaged in the healthcare catering services.
The HCA aims to act as the voice of Association members and to become the leading consultative body to the Government on all matters relating to the future developments of hospital and healthcare catering.
By providing resources and services, the HCA helps members to realise their talents, develop their skills and increase their knowledge in order to achieve new levels of success and recognition. This is actively encouraged through the development of education and training programmes, which aim to set the highest standards of professionalism within the hospital and healthcare catering sector.
The HCA also aims to protect and improve the professional interests of those engaged in all areas of healthcare catering services. In addition to organising a National Conference on an annual basis and hosting local Branch Study Days, the Association has a voice on the Northern and Southern Training Advisory Groups, the NHS University and other training formats.
The Association has developed strong links with the Health Facilities Management Association, British Dietetic Association, Association of Domestic Managers, Local Authority Caterers Association and the National Association of Care Catering, which gives the Association the opportunity to further enhance our knowledge of the catering industry.
The HCA keeps its members up-to-date on key NHS developments, Government legislation and policies or other factors affecting the NHS and hospital catering sector. It also acts as a centre for reference, advice and guidance to support its members in meeting the changing demands of the industry.
The HCA aims to develop a more positive and professional profile for healthcare catering through improved communication, which ensures that the views of HCA members and hospital caterers on key issues are heard. The Hospital Caterers Association publishes its own bi-monthly magazine “The Hospital Caterer”, which covers the latest news, developments and issues within the sector and an annual Yearbook, which acts as an important reference source. The Association has a London based press office and a website www.hospitalcaterers.org, which is updated on a regular basis.
The development of HCI has made the world a smaller place and has enhanced the benefits of HCA membership by enabling members to network, share ideas and good practice with colleagues from other organisations across the world.