Howard Cartledge scoops national catering award

Howard Cartledge (centre) won the Hospital Caterer of the Year award

Howard Cartledge won the Hospital Caterer of the Year award at the Hospital Caterers’ Association annual leadership and development forum in Glasgow.

It was a case of third time lucky for the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust’s catering lead as he had previously been named as a highly recommended manager in 2012 and was part of the services team of the year in 2014, for the same association.

Howard has worked in the NHS for 36 years, the last ten at Pennine Acute Trust. Presented with a cash prize, certificate and engraved glass trophy, he said: “I feel very honoured and proud to have won the award, but in my opinion it is for the whole catering team and it proves that The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a patient lead Trust."

Pam Miller, deputy director estates and facilities at the Trust, said: “Howard has worked tirelessly to improve the standards across the Trust in catering since he joined in 2005. This has included the implementation of the productive ward releasing time to care food services model, which has led to patient satisfaction and a reduction in food waste from 5% to 3%.

“He has also developed excellent working relationships with nursing colleagues across the Trust, engaging with them and patients to hear their views and suggestions for service improvements.”

Working at the Trust which comprises North Manchester and Fairfield General Hospital, The Royal Oldham Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary, his achievements in 2014 included: 

• Implementing afternoon tea services on one ward every month in the Trust.
• Undertaking supplier reviews to deliver significant cost efficiencies.
• Implementing a bulk meal service onto a number of wards at North Manchester General Hospital to improve the meal service for patients, at no additional cost.
• Delivering under spend budgets and improving the profitability of staff catering operations.
• Representing the Hospital Caterers’ Association nationally on the Hospital Food Standards’ Panel.