Karen Ford-Sneddon, Sodexo’s patient dining manager at Queen’s Hospital, Romford was announced the winner of the Healthcare Catering Award at the 2022 Contract Catering awards held this week at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, Tower Bridge, London.
The Healthcare Catering category recognises individuals operating in contract catering specifically within the healthcare sector.
Ford-Sneddon was awarded the title in recognition for her professionalism, compassion and ability to adapt the patient dining service at the hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic, and to provide valuable supervisory support to the Sodexo’s domestic team at the hospital, stepping in to help when her colleagues were off sick or isolating.
She is always looking to improve the service for patients and has introduced a braille menu to help visually impaired patients. She has also worked with the Trust on a six-month project focusing on improving quality of nutrition and hydration provision.
Ford-Sneddon is committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of not only the patients but also her team and the hospital.
She diligently leads the team which has not had anyone leave in over eighteen months. Her dedication to and compassion for everyone was demonstrated when she stopped a colleague who was unwell from going home.
Ford-Sneddon had spotted symptoms that led her to believe he was experiencing a stroke, after calling for assistance it was shortly confirmed that she was right, and she had helped ensure he received early medical assistance.
Philip Leigh, CEO, Healthcare, Sodexo UK & Ireland said, 'We are immensely proud of Karen and the hard work and dedication. The last couple of years have been tough for everyone working in the healthcare sector and Karen has shown resilience in her everyday job and in supporting others.
'Every day Karen has demonstrated our core values of service spirit, team spirit and spirit of progress. This recognition is well-deserved.'