Hospitals and Hospitalities

Do you think our hospitals have overstretched their Hospitalities. I quite recollect in the 70s and 80s when our hospitals are just dotted with small Cafe serving daily breakfast concept menu only. Over the years, circumstances have changed in the United Kingdom.

This the case of Queens Hospital on my visit today. Now, this is not about criticism. It's about impact of Hospitality on patients, guests and staff who has a strong connection with the hospital. I was expecting a wow factor on the first architectural impression of the hospital and I got it. 

An imposing gigantic one storey building surrounded with enough spaces to be converted into a stadium fit for Arsenal Football Club. So many people strutting around this peripheral areas. It's like a market hub rather than a hospital. Cars, multi cars shows people come from far and near. The speciality unit of the hospital I am told is Neurosurgery but also cater for all types of ailment and operations. Oh by the way, my real reason for being in the hospital was to have my hearing aids checked and have my ailing back pain X-rayed...well, you ask for it. So you will deduce they have Audiology the X-Ray department too............but I will not be going into a story of this fantastic departments. They did a brilliant job on me, though.

Getting back to my observation of hospitality in hospital and taking a look from the outset, the venue is imposing. I was mesmerised with an awesome sight on entering the hospital. (I was told I cannot take inner pictures of the hospitals, so I apologise for none provision of visuals).  Yes, it's like a market hub boasting of restaurants not cafe. Or should I call the Costa Cafe a restaurant? Its huge, with provision of outside sitting capacity. There is a fruit seller stand, handbag stand, perfumery, reception stand, lots of foot-printing and POS. Really awesome sight for a hospital. The restaurants are quite very busy. Big business indeed. The atmosphere, very inviting. One need not define the targeted customers in this case. You could see that from all outlook.

Proceeding to the inner part of the hospital, numerous food machines to cater for all customers to the hospital. In the field of the caterers, I observe evidence of Sudexo (YOO), Costa Cafe, .and a host of others. This is a very busy environment. If all NHS hospitals in the UK are  like this, then the economic importance of hospitality has come to play in hospitals.

Developing economies can relate to this strategy and gain an insight into another side operatives of managing a hospitality within hospitals. Interestingly, I was made to understand that there are, on estimation, 10,000 combined patients, guest and staff at one given time of visitation.

My interest is piqued by hospitality industry's ability to penetrate needful sectors, schools, colleges, universities, hospitals and other industrial sectors. The offer of food and drink creates jobs, training and development. This very encouraging. The importance of this article is not  about the layout or a story about the Queens Hospital. It's how lucrative an idea, planning and strategy was implemented-having hospitality within hospitals, catering for al needs of the stomach.

So next time you visit a hospital, rest assured that you are out to have a good time and be well looked after - shopping,  eating and drinking. 

HAVE FUN

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