"The leading example of best practice in hospital food"

In 2008, His Royal Highness encouraged NHS hospital chief executives to improve the quality of hospital food and, in an event held at Royal Brompton, praised the hospital’s commitment to providing top-quality food.

On Thursday 15 December 2011, Royal Brompton’s catering team was personally congratulated by The Prince for their excellent work in improving the hospital’s food at a reception for the Soil Association at Clarence House.

Representing the Trust at the event were chief executive Mr Bob Bell, catering manager Mr Mike Duckett, and food safety and training manager, Mrs Sharon Chant, who has been serving food to patients at Royal Brompton for more than ten years.

HRH The Prince of Wales, who is Royal Patron of the Soil Association, said: “When you are ill, your body needs the best possible food to recover. That is why it is essential that patients in our hospitals should receive wholesome, fresh food.”

As one of the UK’s highest achieving hospital trusts, Royal Brompton’s efforts in best practice food sourcing were highlighted as improving food for patients, staff and visitors, keeping costs down, and benefiting UK farmers and the local economy.

Mike Duckett said: “It is fantastic that we had the opportunity to join HRH The Prince of Wales to look at how we can get good quality, affordable meals on the menu for patients across the country.”

The catering team works closely with the Trust’s dietitians to provide nutritious food that will aid recovery, reduce hospital stays and provide a good model for healthy eating habits.

“We pride ourselves on cooking every meal on the premises using fresh, local ingredients. Thirty per cent of food at Royal Brompton is organic or locally sourced with organic meats appearing on the menu at least once a week. We also ensure that there is a halal and a vegetarian option on every menu and special diets are catered for,” said Mr Duckett.

Speaking after the event, Bob Bell said: “The Trust is very proud of what Mike and his team have achieved at Royal Brompton. We believe it is vital, not only for our patients, but for our staff too, to have satisfying and nutritious food available, and we are delighted that these efforts have been recognised by the Soil Association and HRH The Prince of Wales at this reception.”

Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust was featured as a success story in First aid for hospital food, a Soil Association report released earlier this year. The report concluded that despite the poor reputation of hospital food in the UK, there are a growing number of NHS trusts that “understand the importance of good quality, nutritious and satisfying food. In these hospitals, the food makes a positive contribution to patients’ well being and staff morale”.

Read HRH The Prince of Wales’s comments about Royal Brompton's catering team and a transcript of his speech at Clarence House during the Soil Association event.

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