Lord Philip Hunt of Kings Heath has been appointed as the new President of the Hospital Caterers Association (HCA).
With over 250 of the 300 NHS Trusts represented in its membership, the Hospital Caterers Association (HCA) is the single largest group of health care catering providers within the NHS. For over 50 years, the HCA has been the leading professional body representing senior health care catering managers who provide food services for patients, visitors, hospital and medical staff in NHS hospital and health care facilities nationwide. The Association promotes the continued improvement of catering standards in hospitals and health care services. It also aims to achieve greater recognition for health care caterers and the role of hospital food as an integral part of patients’ clinical care.
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.
Lord Hunt will take over the Presidency of the HCA from Sir Brian Bailey, OBE, JP, DL on 1 May 2004. Sir Brian, who was formerly Chairman of the South West Regional Health Authority (1975-82) and Chairman, Health Education Authority (1983-87), has been the Association’s President from 1988. He retires from the post on April 30. The HCA Presidency is a voluntary role with an open term of office. The HCA also has two Vice Presidents, a National Chairman, Vice Chairman, National Secretary and National Treasurer amongst its National Executive. The Association has over 700 Members spread across seventeen regional branches throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Lord Hunt is a member of the House of Lords and was a member of the Government for five years from 1998 - 2003 during which time he served four years as a Health Minister. He was appointed a Life Peer in July 1997 and his particular interests in the House of Lords are health, education, transport and cultural issues. He was awarded the OBE in June 1993.
He has extensive experience in the health field and has held a number of senior positions including: Director, National Association of Health Authorities (1984-90), Co-Chair, Association for Public Health (1994-1998), Chief Executive, NHS Confederation (1996-1997) and Chair, IPPR Forum of the Future of Health and Healthcare (1997-98). He is currently a Senior Policy Advisor at the King’s Fund, chairs the Lords Select Committee on the Merits of Statutory Instruments, is Chair of the National Patient Safety Agency and a Senior Associate Fellow at Warwick University Business School.
Commenting on his new position, Lord Hunt says: “I am delighted to be taking over the Presidency of the Hospital Caterers Association. I would like to pay special tribute to Sir Brian Bailey for the many years of distinguished service he has given to the organisation. I am sure Members will join with me in thanking him for his leadership and commitment. He has been a driving force behind the success of the Association and an inspiration to many. We extend our gratitude and best wishes to him for the future”.
“It is essential that hospital catering and good quality food is given priority in the NHS and that it is seen as an integral part of patient care. As the incoming President, I hope to be able to introduce greater opportunity for health service catering and facilities management to have a stronger voice within Westminster and Whitehall. I am keen to enhance the status of the profession and to ensure that it is able to influence the policy agenda”.
Passing on his congratulations to Lord Hunt, Sir Brian Bailey says: “I extend my best wishes to Lord Hunt as he takes over the helm of the Association. My sixteen years of office have been both challenging and rewarding. The Association has expanded beyond all recognition and has achieved much in the face of dramatic changes in NHS catering. The HCA has played a key role by helping to set new standards amongst the profession and raising the profile of hospital catering within NHS Trust management. I wish the Association further success as it now enters an exciting new dimension in its history under the guidance of my successor”.