Trade News
Bonzer Leads to Successful Catering Operation at The Royal Bournemouth Hospital
Following consecutive years as a 3-star performing trust, The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals gained Foundation Status in 2005 and provides health care for the residents of Bournemouth, Christchurch, East Dorset and part of the New Forest. Services include a state of the art Cardiology Unit and the award winning orthopaedic service; the Derwent.
Such an operation requires a catering facility that is up to the task and under the watchful eye of Catering Manager, Terry Reeves, the Royal Bournemouth Hospital has exactly that. Producing over 2200 meals a day to cater for both the patients and staff, the kitchen is a constant hive of activity, with a dedicated team of 68 staff, working a mixture of shifts.
In addition to the conventional ‘cook/serve’ style patient catering, Terry also oversees the onsite deli-bar, tea-bar and staff dining room. Despite a move to more fresh and frozen ingredients, one area that continually caused Terry problems was with regards to the opening of cans.
“We open over 1300 cans every month so if the can opener develops a problem, we develop a problem with the catering.
When Terry was at a local trade exhibition, he was introduced to the Bonzer Titan.
“When I purchase equipment it is about getting the right tool for the right job. The Bonzer Titan is exactly that. It has a quick release blade system, meaning that changing the blade is a fast, simple job that can be completed without the need for us to call estates. Secondly, there is only one way to put the blade in, therefore it is always straight and eradicates any danger of metal shards entering the food. Finally, the entire open process is quicker and cuts down on labour. With our last opener it could take fourteen turns to open an A10 can, with the Bonzer Titan it takes just seven thanks to a larger handle and 40mm cog wheel. On 1300 cans a month this equates to serious time and labour savings.”
The quick release blade system, as well as the shaft, is placed through the dishwasher each evening, to ensure that any build up during the day is eradicated immediately.
“The blade areas on normal can openers harbour a significant amount of dirt and residue build up, which can only be properly removed by changing the blade. The quick release system on the Titan however means that we can regularly rinse the blade mechanism under water between products, which eradicates tuna mixing with beans or peas. The entire system can then be placed in the dishwasher at the end of each day to ensure a thorough wash.”
To fit in with the hospitals’ environmental policy all the tin cans are recycled, after washing, therefore it is important for Terry that the opener does not leave a sharp edge on the cans.
For further information on Bonzer please call Mitchell and Cooper on 0845 0177488 or visit www.bonzer.co.uk
