Overview
The West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust requires Catering Assistants to join a dedicated Catering Team based at West Suffolk Hospital to produce a plated meal service on a belted system. The Catering Department opens 365 days a year; hours are 7.5 hours per day between 7am-9pm, including alternate weekends.
Role and Responsibilities
Team members plate up meals which are then transported to patients on the wards. They are required to clear down trollies and equipment for the next service. Other duties include making sandwiches and delivering to wards, serving staff and visitors in the dining room and café.
The department has been recognised for the standard of food and service, and additional payments in the form of enhancements are paid for working weekends and unsocial hours.
Location and Details
Job location: West Suffolk Hospital, Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ, United Kingdom. Salary: £25,272 per year. Band 2. Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working. Contract: Permanent. Date posted: 18 May 2026. Reference number: 179-7988608-P.
Qualifications and Requirements
Education & Qualification — Essential: Basic food hygiene certificate or commitment to achieve within a set timeframe; A good general education; Basic skills in literacy & numeracy.
Experience & Knowledge — Essential: Good understanding of HACCP, COSHH and Health and Safety legislation; Dealing with cash and card payments. Desirable: Previous catering experience.
Skills & Abilities — Essential: Good customer care and communication skills; Able to work either alone or as part of a team; Good manual dexterity, physical fitness and good eyesight; Good attention to detail; Able to work under pressure.
Personal Qualities — Essential: Able to work without supervision; Able to work in a demanding environment; Self-motivated with evidence of good attendance and timekeeping and trustworthy; Adaptable to change; Able to work in a hospital ward environment; Polite with a friendly manner; Flexible approach to working hours/duties. Desirable: Interest in cooking/catering.
Security and Disclosure
Disclosure and Barring Service Check will be required; post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a disclosures submission to the DBS.
Employer and Contact
Employer: West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. Address: West Suffolk Hospital, Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ, United Kingdom. Website: https://www.wsh.nhs.uk. For questions about the job, contact: Catering Manager Vanessa Theobald (Vanessa.Theobald@wsh.nhs.uk, 01284 713462).
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