Lifespan Catering Services catering supervisor Peter Pearson
WE’VE all heard of ‘meals on wheels’ – but when it comes to hospital food, our region’s patients receive some of the best-travelled culinary delights in the country!
Each day a staggering 32,000 portions of food are prepared and produced for hospital patients by NHS caterers, Lifespan Catering Services.
Hospitals in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Leicester, Essex and London are all served by Lifespan Catering Services – with every single meal being delivered by a trusty and professional team of drivers.
However, each driver is no ordinary man with a van! The 10-strong team of drives clock up a 1,066-mile round trip every day to ensure the thousands of patients are fed on time - 365 days of the year.
Lifespan Catering Services catering supervisor Peter Pearson knows the job only too well – having experienced life on the road with the Services as a driver himself.
However, with the rapid expansion of the business, the number of patients and amount of food has increased dramatically during his 18 years of service.
He said: “We currently have seven vehicles in our fleet, and a fantastic team of drivers. My role is to train the drivers and plan the routes. We currently have six regular routes, all of which are designed to be as green as possible in terms of fuel economy.
“Our drivers are also required to visit the kitchens of each hospital we deliver to as it’s not simply a case of dropping of the food.
“They are required to check the load before leaving, ensure the temperature of the van is correct and re-check the van before returning. Our drivers are seen by many as ‘the face’ of Lifespan Catering Services, so it is essential that the food is delivered efficiently, effectively and professionally.”
Peter added: “All our drivers have Sat Navs and mobile phones, so they can always communicate any problems and sort them out straight away.”
Drivers at Lifespan Catering Services work shifts which run from 5.30am until 5pm – depending on the distance being travelled. Last minute changes to the route may occur due to road works or weather conditions.
Peter, who also runs induction and training courses for the drivers, added: “Thankfully, we have never missed a delivery yet at our 100 daily drop off points – even this year’s spell of adverse weather wasn’t enough to deter us!”
And for Peter – whose working day begins at 4.30am – there’s no immediate sign of taking it easy at the end of a busy shift.
Having fulfilled his ambition of taking part in the London Marathon two years ago, he is now in training for a new challenge to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.
As part of the Healthy Heart initiative, Peter is midway through his efforts to complete 77 5km runs in 77 days. He is pounding the treadmill at his local gym in Histon, Cambridge and his due to complete the feat in August.
Pic cap:
Lifespan Catering Services catering supervisor Peter Pearson – ensuring delivery of thousands of hospital patient meals goes like clockwork.
Note to editors
Based in Fulbourn near Cambridge, Lifespan Catering Services employs around 55 members of staff – and produces a staggering 32,000 portions of food every day of the year.
The whole process of preparing and ultimately delivering the ‘cook-chill’
Lifespan Catering Services is the catering arm of NHS shared services provider Anglia Support Partnership.
For more press information contact Cetti Long at Media Matters on (01733) 371363 or email: cetti@mediamatters-
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http://www.prlog.org/
