Stepping Hill kitchen retains rare national honour
Stepping Hill Hospital’s catering team has been singled out as one of the country’s best after a fresh inspection confirmed its coveted ‘exemplar’ status. The Stockport kitchen is among only a handful across the UK to hold the designation — and, crucially for our area, it is the only hospital site in Greater Manchester to carry the badge at present.
Inspectors looked closely at how meals are planned, prepared and delivered on the wards, and found a service that pairs nutritional value with healthy choices, keeps a keen ear to patient feedback, and invests in training for colleagues across the hospital. The team was also assessed on day‑to‑day hygiene, efforts to reduce food waste and the overall menu on offer.
“This is a fantastic accomplishment and one that reflects the dedication, professionalism and pride that the team catering bring to the service every day. Maintaining Exemplar Status is not easy, and to do so while continuing to raise standards and deliver such a high-quality service is something they can all be proud of. Catering is clearly recognised as an important part of patient care and experience at the hospital, and this renewed status is a real testament to the teamwork and culture of continuous improvement that has been built.”
That was the verdict from Gareth Hughes, director of estates and facilities at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, following confirmation of the latest inspection outcome.
What the inspection focused on
While the designation is national, the inspection priorities speak to everyday mealtime realities on the wards. Reviewers looked at practical standards and how the service adapts to patients’ needs. The trust says the following areas were central to securing the renewed rating:
- Nutritional balance and healthy options – ensuring meals support recovery and wellbeing.
- Listening to feedback – taking on board what patients say about taste, choice and mealtime experience.
- Staff training – upskilling colleagues so standards are consistent and knowledge is shared across teams.
- Hygiene – maintaining food safety and clean working environments.
- Reducing food waste – managing portions and supply to minimise waste.
- Menu oversight – keeping choices appropriate and up to date.
Why it matters for Stockport patients
Good hospital food is not a luxury; it is part of care. A well-run kitchen that can balance nourishment with choice helps patients keep up their strength, supports specific dietary needs and can make a difficult hospital stay a little easier. The renewed exemplar mark signals that the Stockport team is not only meeting baseline requirements but maintaining high standards over time, even as services and pressures shift.
As the hospital caring for much of the borough, Stepping Hill’s mealtime operation touches thousands of people each year — patients, relatives and staff on long shifts alike. The focus on patient feedback suggests diners have a voice in how the service evolves. The emphasis on training points to continuity: if staff move between wards or roles, the skills and expectations travel with them.
At a glance: areas reviewed
| Inspection area | Noted by inspectors/trust |
|---|---|
| Hygiene | Standards reviewed during the kitchen assessment |
| Reducing food waste | Actions to minimise waste were part of the evaluation |
| Menu | Choice and suitability examined |
| Nutritional value & healthy food | Recognised in the exemplar designation |
| Patient feedback | Responsiveness highlighted |
| Training for staff | Team’s role in equipping colleagues noted |
A rare badge in Greater Manchester
Only a small number of hospital kitchens nationally hold this particular commendation; Stepping Hill is the sole site in Greater Manchester currently recognised in this way. For local families, that means Stockport’s main hospital is setting an example others are being encouraged to follow. With attention trained on hygiene, nutrition and practical efficiencies such as waste reduction, the service here is designed to do the simple things well — hot food served safely, options that fit a range of needs, and a feedback loop that actually results in change.
The trust’s message is that this is not a one‑off award but a standard to be kept up. As Hughes notes, retaining the status is demanding; it relies on steady work behind the scenes day after day. From early‑morning prep to the last tray collected at night, the hallmarks of the inspection — cleanliness, nutrition, training and listening — are supposed to show up in real meals on real trolleys, not just on paper.
What to look for as a patient or visitor
If you or a family member is spending time at Stepping Hill, it is reasonable to expect the following:
- Menus that make room for healthier choices alongside familiar favourites.
- Staff who are trained and able to pass on feedback about meals.
- Clear attention to food safety and cleanliness around mealtimes.
While hospital stays are rarely easy, small improvements can add up. The exemplar status is a signal that in Stockport, the basics of nourishment and care around food are being taken seriously — and that the team understands mealtimes are part of the overall patient experience.
