Job overview
The Ward Host plays a vital role in supporting the delivery of high-quality patient catering services across inpatient wards. The post holder is responsible for taking meal orders, serving food and beverages, maintaining ward kitchen areas, and ensuring patients receive meals that meet their nutritional, dietary, cultural and clinical requirements. The role contributes directly to patient experience, nutritional care, and the maintenance of high standards of food safety and hygiene within the hospital environment
Main duties of the job
The Ward Host is responsible for providing a safe, efficient and patient-focused food and beverage service. Duties include accurately recording patient meal choices, preparing and serving meals and refreshments, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene standards within ward kitchens, completing food safety documentation, monitoring stock rotation, and ensuring compliance with Trust policies and procedures. The post holder works closely with clinical teams, catering colleagues and patients to support nutritional care and deliver excellent customer service.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will ensure that all patients receive meals and beverages in accordance with their individual dietary, medical, cultural and nutritional requirements. They will maintain ward kitchen facilities to a high standard, complete all required food safety and due diligence records, and comply with all food hygiene, health and safety, and infection prevention procedures. The Ward Host will contribute to a positive patient experience by providing courteous and professional customer service, responding to patient needs, communicating effectively with ward staff, and supporting the efficient delivery of catering services. The role requires flexibility, attention to detail, adherence to established procedures, and a commitment to maintaining the Trust's standards of quality, safety and patient care.
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience working in a catering, hospitality, healthcare or customer service environment
- Experience of working as part of a team in a busy environment while maintaining high standards of customer service
Desirable
- Previous experience working within an NHS or healthcare environment
- Experience of serving patients with special dietary requirements
Qualifications
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate good literacy and numeracy skills sufficient to complete food safety documentation accurately
- Willingness to undertake mandatory training relevant to the role, including Food Safety, Infection Prevention and Control, and Manual Handling
Desirable
- Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate
- Basic Food Allergen Awareness training
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Ward host with Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust in St Helier hospital. The advertised salary is £15.42 per hour including HCAS. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 07 Sep 2026.
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