Ward Housekeeper
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Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Ward Housekeeper
The closing date is 18 November 2026
Job summary
To ensure the provision of an individualised high quality food and beverage service to patients liaising closely with the ward dietitian and ensure appropriate fortification of foods at ward level, as detailed by the dietitian.
Working hours available are 37.5 hours weekly, either 7.5 hour shifts or 12 hour shifts depending on the needs of that ward over a 7 day period.
Main duties of the job
- Explain the menu system to new patients and liaise on a daily basis with the patients and family members regarding meal preferences and appetites, taking into account any cultural and religious choices.
- To encourage and assist patients to order food, where necessary taking into account special dietary needs and medical requirements.
- To ensure in conjunction with the nursing staff that discharged and newly admitted patient's meal requirements are actioned.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.We have state-of-the-art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when a sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.
Details
Date posted
04 November 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
£25,760 to £27,476 a year Weekends & Bank Holiday enhancements
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
418-COR8378-HC
Job locations
Bedford Hospital North wing
John Bunyan House, Kimbolton Road
Bedford
MK40 2NT
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Explain the menu system to new patients and liaise on a daily basis with the patients and family members regarding meal preferences and appetites, taking into account any cultural and religious choices.
- To encourage and assist patients to order food, where necessary taking into account special dietary needs and medical requirements.
- To liaise closely with the ward dietitian and ensure appropriate fortification of foods at ward level, as detailed by the dietitian.
- To ensure that each patient receives their chosen meal, have any assistance they require to eat and drink (red tray/beaker system) and to record food intake on food record charts, in conjunction with nursing staff.
- To ensure all food and beverages are served at the correct temperature in accordance with Food Hygiene Regulations.
- Ensure all patients menu cards are filled in correctly, collated and delivered to the menu clerk on a daily basis.
- In conjunction with nursing staff collate information of special diets and update the ward kitchen nutrition information board on a daily basis.
- To prepare and serve meals from the ward kitchen in conjunction with the nursing/midwifery team and at the appropriate times in accordance with the Trusts Protected Mealtime system.
- Collect crockery and cutlery and in conjunction with ward domestic ensure that all equipment/utensils used in the preparation, consumption and service of meals are washed to correct hygiene standards.
- To prepare and serve hot/cold snacks (e.g. toast) as requested offering a 24-hour snack service.
- To take responsibility for the ward kitchen ensuring it is clean at all times in accordance with daily, weekly and periodic cleaning schedules (includes equipment: fixed and mobile)
- To ensure refrigerated food is labelled and stored correctly as per policy e.g. discarding out-of-date food, rotating stock.
- To ensure in conjunction with the nursing staff that discharged and newly admitted patients meal requirements are actioned.
- To co-ordinate extra meal requirements/special diets with the diet chef and dietitian, as necessary.
- Order daily provisions using the requisition book to agreed stock levels from the catering stores.
- Inform the ward manager of replacement crockery, cutlery and food service/storage equipment requirements.
Job responsibilities
- Explain the menu system to new patients and liaise on a daily basis with the patients and family members regarding meal preferences and appetites, taking into account any cultural and religious choices.
- To encourage and assist patients to order food, where necessary taking into account special dietary needs and medical requirements.
- To liaise closely with the ward dietitian and ensure appropriate fortification of foods at ward level, as detailed by the dietitian.
- To ensure that each patient receives their chosen meal, have any assistance they require to eat and drink (red tray/beaker system) and to record food intake on food record charts, in conjunction with nursing staff.
- To ensure all food and beverages are served at the correct temperature in accordance with Food Hygiene Regulations.
- Ensure all patients menu cards are filled in correctly, collated and delivered to the menu clerk on a daily basis.
- In conjunction with nursing staff collate information of special diets and update the ward kitchen nutrition information board on a daily basis.
- To prepare and serve meals from the ward kitchen in conjunction with the nursing/midwifery team and at the appropriate times in accordance with the Trusts Protected Mealtime system.
- Collect crockery and cutlery and in conjunction with ward domestic ensure that all equipment/utensils used in the preparation, consumption and service of meals are washed to correct hygiene standards.
- To prepare and serve hot/cold snacks (e.g. toast) as requested offering a 24-hour snack service.
- To take responsibility for the ward kitchen ensuring it is clean at all times in accordance with daily, weekly and periodic cleaning schedules (includes equipment: fixed and mobile)
- To ensure refrigerated food is labelled and stored correctly as per policy e.g. discarding out-of-date food, rotating stock.
- To ensure in conjunction with the nursing staff that discharged and newly admitted patients meal requirements are actioned.
- To co-ordinate extra meal requirements/special diets with the diet chef and dietitian, as necessary.
- Order daily provisions using the requisition book to agreed stock levels from the catering stores.
- Inform the ward manager of replacement crockery, cutlery and food service/storage equipment requirements.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Ability to read and write English Post registration
Desirable
- Food Hygiene Certificate
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience working in a food environment
Desirable
- Calm Under Pressure
Knowledge
Essential
- An understanding of Health & Safety Procedure
Desirable
- Works well in a team and unsupervised
Personal Skills
Essential
- Strong communication skills - written and verbal
Desirable
- Experience of dealing with Customers in a catering/retail environment
Qualifications
Essential
- Ability to read and write English Post registration
Desirable
- Food Hygiene Certificate
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience working in a food environment
Desirable
- Calm Under Pressure
Knowledge
Essential
- An understanding of Health & Safety Procedure
Desirable
- Works well in a team and unsupervised
Personal Skills
Essential
- Strong communication skills - written and verbal
Desirable
- Experience of dealing with Customers in a catering/retail environment
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Bedford Hospital North wing
John Bunyan House, Kimbolton Road
Bedford
MK40 2NT
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Bedford Hospital North wing
John Bunyan House, Kimbolton Road
Bedford
MK40 2NT
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Ward Sister
Anitha Manuel
01234730470
Details
Date posted
04 November 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
£25,760 to £27,476 a year Weekends & Bank Holiday enhancements
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
418-COR8378-HC
Job locations
Bedford Hospital North wing
John Bunyan House, Kimbolton Road
Bedford
MK40 2NT
United Kingdom
Supporting documents
Privacy notice
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)
Support links
© Crown copyright
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