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Job summary

Main area
Housekeeper
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 2
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months (Any 5 days out of 7. 37.5hrs weekly)
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week (Some weekends)
Job ref
418-COR9936-SSJ
Employer
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Bedford Hospital
Town
Bedford
Salary
£24,465 Weekends & Bank Holiday enhancements
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
11/03/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Ward Housekeeper

NHS AfC: Band 2

Job overview

As a Ward Housekeeper, you will play a vital part in creating a positive and comfortable experience for patients during their stay. Working at the heart of the ward environment, you will provide an individualised, high‑quality food and beverage service that supports each patient’s nutritional needs.

You will work closely with the ward dietitian to ensure meals are appropriately fortified and tailored to clinical requirements, helping patients receive the nourishment they need for recovery. Your attention to detail, compassion, and commitment to excellent service will make you an essential member of the ward team.

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day, supporting patient wellbeing through thoughtful, personalised care and a consistently high standard of service.

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.

Working for our organisation

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. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and 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

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Ability to speak, understand, read and write English Post registration
Desirable criteria
  • Food Hygiene Certificate
  • Allergen Training

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Previous experience working in a food environment
Desirable criteria
  • Health & Safety Knowledge/ Training
  • COSHH & HACCP Understanding

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Worked in a Hospital or Care Home environment
  • An understanding of Health & Safety Procedure
Desirable criteria
  • Works well in a team and unsupervised

Personal Skills

Essential criteria
  • Strong communication skills – written and verbal
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of dealing with Customers in a Clinical/catering/retail environment

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - GoodDisability confident employerEmployer with HeartNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark 2024

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Steven Cowley
Job title
Catering Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01234 792152
Additional information

Sandra Smith

Catering Office Manager 

012340355122 ext 2152

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