The restaurant at Forth Valley Royal Hospital has received yet more prestigious awards for dishing up tasty and healthy food.

Catering Manager Anne Davidson (centre) received a trophy for the Catering Team of the Year Award 2013 from the Healthcare Catering Association. Anne was credited for her inspirational leadership, drive and enthusiasm to make a difference.

In addition the restaurant has scooped a Healthy Living Plus Award for its continued efforts to promote healthy living for staff, patients and visitors. This national award recognises the wide range of measures undertaken to encourage healthy eating – these include reducing fizzy drinks and confectionery and increasing the range and profile of healthy food and drink options.

Catering Manager Anne Davidson said:

 NHS Forth Valley plans menus well, with the offer of at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day and fish twice a week. We always provide healthy food choices and cater for special requirements. In our stroke ward for example we use picture menus so patients can indicate their dietary requirements.”

Catering is one of the services provided by the facilities company Serco, who send their chefs to specialist cook schools to improve quality and variety. Serco Contract Director at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Mike Mackay added:

 Food in hospitals is an important issue. At a time when many of our patients are frail or vulnerable we need to ensure they get the right support to help them recover and giving them good, freshly prepared and nutritious food is one way of doing this. We also encourage our staff and visitors to eat healthily and are committed to providing a wide choice of dishes.”

The hospital serves over 3100 meals a day and provides catering to 1200 patients throughout the Forth Valley area, including patients at Falkirk and Stirling Community Hospitals. The menu on offer has been specially development in partnership with the  dieticians, to meet the nutritional needs for the patients throughout Forth Valley.

The restaurant is open from 7am until 8pm each day.