Children’s hospital cook retires after 46 years of service

NHS Grampian bid a fond farewell to 66-year-old Bella Laing from Ythanwells following a career as a cook spanning five decades.

Laing was part of the health board’s catering team who were one of the first in the country to introduce a deli cart service for young patients in 2016. 

Stuart Donald, catering manager at NHS Grampian, said: “Bella was instrumental in helping to set up the deli cart which enables us to offer a selection of freshly prepared foods for children to choose from themselves.

“This helps to encourage healthy eating and improves the customer experience for our young patients. It has really made a difference to families and staff, and particularly our dietetics colleagues who say it’s working wonders in terms of making sure the kids get all the right nutrients.  

“Its success is testament to Bella and her small team’s hard work over the years, ensuring the best possible care and attention is given, and specific needs are met. Our cooks arriving with the meal trolley has become something the children look forward to and are excited by. We will all really miss Bella and wish her all the best in her well-earned retirement.”

Laing has made it her life’s work to help people in hospital enjoy their meals and she loves seeing the positive reaction children and young people have to the food she has prepared.

She added: “I enjoy coming up here to see the children, they are all characters and you get attached to them. They each have their likes and dislikes. They can come to the trolley and say ‘I want carrots/sausages’ whatever and it’s just so nice to see them come and please themselves. They never got the choice before and I don’t know how the nurses did it.”