The staff canteen service at St. Luke's Hospital.

Abstract

This study investigated the canteen that caters for the staff who work at St. Luke's Hospital. In order to investigate the service, an analysis was carried out to look at the building as a whole, the catering staff who work there and the food that is presented. The data was obtained from feedback of health care workers (qualified nurses and health assistants) who attend at the staff canteen. The analysis found that the building and its environment need a great change in its structure whereas the food presented is not up to standard as regards presentation, nutritional value and choice. In addition, the food handlers need a course in the catering management. Much can be done to promote the canteen service at the hospital. The hospital workers need to be better served while on duty and in view of the present refurbishment at the hospital, the staff canteen cannot remain as it is. St. Luke's Hospital deserves a much better canteen with a high standard of catering service. Besides, all this would add as a motivating factor for the health care worker who passes long hours of work at the hospital. The research should also increase our understanding of the present state of the hospital staff canteen and its relation to the nursing practice.

Michael Bezzina April l995