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We promote, develop and improve the standards of catering in healthcare
The Hospital Caterers Association encompasses the single largest group of healthcare catering providers within the NHS and is the recognised voice of hospital catering.
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Chair's message
Welcome to the Hospital Caterers Association website.
The Hospital Caterers Association encompasses the single largest group of healthcare catering providers within the NHS and is the recognised voice of hospital catering. It represents caterers who provide a wide range of food and other services for patients, visitors and staff in NHS hospitals and healthcare facilities. The HCA is a national organisation, with fifteen branches throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and more than 250 hospitals represented in its membership.
Personal development
Personal development through networking with like-minded professionals
Leadership
Annual Leadership & Development Forum with reduced rates for members
Meetings
Regular branch meetings to discuss key issues
Social events
Social events at both regional and national level
Publications
Bi-monthly Journal, other HCA publications, Wallplanner and Website
Reduced rates
Reduced rates for members to many training days, seminars etc
Hospital Caterers Association History
1948
Hospital Caterers Association
Hospital Caterers Association is founded. The first professional organisation within the NHS
Elsewhere
The World Health Organisation is established by the United Nations
1954
Hospital Caterers Association
National Trainee Cook Scheme Commences
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Food rationing ends
1958
Hospital Caterers Association
The Association celebrates is 10th Anniversary
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The European Economic Community (EEC) is formed
1962
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Enoch Powell's Hospital Plan approves the development of district general hospitals for population areas of about 125,000, and in doing so, lays out a pattern for the future
1967
Hospital Caterers Association
The Salmon Report relieves nurses of non-clinical duties
1969
Hospital Caterers Association
The Association comes of age at 21
1975
Hospital Caterers Association
DHSS launch Nutrition and Modified Diets Manual
1977
Hospital Caterers Association
NHS Catering Standard Recipes (The Orange Book) published
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HRH Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her Silver Jubilee
1978
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Louise Brown, the world's first test tube baby is born in the Royal Oldham Hospital
1980
Hospital Caterers Association
DHSS launch Nutrition and Modified Diets Manual - 2nd edition
1984
Hospital Caterers Association
Stanley Royd changes the face of hospital catering as we know it
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355 patients and 155 members or staff were affected by an outbreak of food poisoning. The outbreak caused or contributed towards the death of 19 patients
1985
Hospital Caterers Association
Compulsory Competitive Tendering introduced for hospital catering services
1986
Hospital Caterers Association
Lifting of Crown Immunity
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Chernobyl disaster
1987
Hospital Caterers Association
Conference visits Northern Ireland
1988
Hospital Caterers Association
40 years commemorated at the London conference. DHSS issue 'Catering for Health - The Recipe File'
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A cyclone in Bangladesh leaves 5 million homeless and thousands dead
1991
Hospital Caterers Association
NHS Trusts established. The Health of the Nation emphasises the purpose of the National Health Service - to improve health not just to treat sickness.
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The first Gulf War
1998
Hospital Caterers Association
Half a century milestone
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Titanic wins 11 Oscars including Best Picture
2000
Hospital Caterers Association
Lloyd Grossman heads up Better Hospital Food Campaign
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The first resident crew enters the International Space Station. Dietitian and HCA member, Anne Donelan, publishes 'Dietitians and Caterers - An uncertain but critical relationship'
2001
Hospital Caterers Association
The National Health Service Recipe Book published with introduction by HCA Chair Pam Miller
2002
Hospital Caterers Association
Primary Care Trusts are set up to improve the administration and delivery of healthcare at a local level
2003
Hospital Caterers Association
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety issues their document 'Catering Services in Norther Ireland'
2004
Hospital Caterers Association
HCA launches Protected Mealtimes Initiative
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First Foundation Trusts created
2006
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NHS reaches 60 year milestone
2008
Hospital Caterers Association
60th anniversary
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The Scottish Government issues 'Food in Hospitals' - National Catering and Nutrition Specification for Food and Fluid Provision in Hospitals in Scotland
2010
Hospital Caterers Association
First National Food and Hydration Week
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The tallest man-made structure to date, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is officially opened
2011
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James Martin airs his first series of 'Operation Hospital Food'
2012
Hospital Caterers Association
CQC publish Nutritional Standards
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Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II
2013
Hospital Caterers Association
A 'Good Practice Guide' to ward level services published
2014
Hospital Caterers Association
The Hospital Food Standards Panel's report on standards for food and drink in NHS hospitals published
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Scotland votes against independence and to remain part of the 4 Nations that make up the United Kingdom
2015
Hospital Caterers Association
Association holds its first Learning Forum (replacing the annual conference) in Glasgow
2017
Hospital Caterers Association
Revamped website launched
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BBC announces first ever female Doctor Who will be played by Jodie Whittaker
2020
Hospital Caterers Association
Hospital Caterers working on the front line ensuring that patients and staff are well provided for whilst tackling global pandemic
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China locks down the city of Wuhan and its 9 million people, in a belated but ultimately successful effort to control the city's COVID-19 epidemic. The global pandemic, declared later in the year, killed over 7 million people
2021
Hospital Caterers Association
HCA members pass resolution to become a Limited Company by Guarantee. A major milestone of the development of the Association.
2022
Hospital Caterers Association
First Leadership & Development Forum since the pandemic was held at the Arena Conference Centre, Liverpool
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First Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines given to the general public
2025
Hospital Caterers Association
New web site launched with digital membership facilities
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US President Donald J Trump sworn in for an historic second term of office