Leadership in health and inclusion: St John’s Hospital catering department’s milestones in 2024
The catering department at St John’s Hospital is setting a new standard in healthcare catering through innovative initiatives focused on wellbeing and cultural inclusivity.
Recently awarded the Irish Heart Foundation’s Happy Hearts Gold Award, the department is recognised for its dedication to promoting heart health across meal offerings, ensuring that nutrition remains a core pillar of wellness for both patients and staff.
The Happy Hearts at Work Programme, an initiative by the Irish Heart Foundation, encourages workplaces across Ireland to support their employees’ cardiovascular health by offering nutritious, heart-friendly meals. This prestigious award highlights the department’s commitment to integrating cardiac health principles into each meal, providing nutritionally balanced options that align with the highest standards of care.
Emer Martin, CEO, says: “This accolade recognises the hospital’s outstanding efforts in promoting heart-healthy eating options for staff in the hospital’s restaurant, showcasing a commitment to improving the overall health and well-being of its workforce.”
Allen Moore, Head of Catering Services and a recent Trinity College graduate in healthcare innovation, expressed his pride in the team’s achievement: “Ensuring that our staff have access to healthy, balanced meals is not only a part of our responsibility but also a vital aspect of fostering a productive and health-conscious work environment. We have taken significant steps to ensure that the meals provided in the staff restaurant meet the highest standards of heart-healthy eating. This includes offering lower-fat options, reducing salt and sugar, increasing the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables, and incorporating whole grains into the daily menu.”
In addition to this health-focused achievement, the team at St John’s is devoted to fostering an inclusive work environment that celebrates the diverse backgrounds of its staff.
In September, the department organised an Onam celebration to honour the significant contributions of South Indian nursing staff who play a vital role in the hospital community. Onam, a major festival from Kerala, India, symbolises unity and abundance, themes embraced by involving nursing staff in the preparation and presentation of a traditional Onam Sadya feast.
This initiative not only celebrated the hospital’s south Indian colleagues but also enriched the cultural fabric of the institution, promoting cross-cultural understanding among staff. More recently, Multicultural Day was celebrated, culminating in an international presentation of culinary delights from a diverse representation of our staff.
The catering department members are champions of innovation, health, and inclusivity, reflective of St John’s own mission statement and values. Their leadership unites staff through food, creating a health-focused and culturally inclusive environment within the hospital.
St John’s remains committed to building on these achievements, continuing to develop initiatives that reflect the health and diverse spirit of its hospital community. “Our staff are the face of St John’s, living out our vision and mission statement in their interactions with patients, families, and colleagues. I am constantly impressed by the resilience, resolve, compassion, and strength shown by our staff towards their patients and work each day,” says Emer Martin.
