Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has awarded Sodexo Health & Care has an eight-year extension to its patient dining contract, following a competitive tendering process.
Sodexo has worked with the Trust for nearly 30 years to deliver catering services, in partnership with Derbyshire Support and Facilities Services (DSFS), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trust.
The new contract, which began on 1 April 2025, is valued at £24.8 m and will take the partnership to 33 years by the end of the term.
Under the new contract, Sodexo will continue providing a combination of Apetito meals and in-house produced dishes, alongside a range of special diet options that cater to a variety of dietary preferences, as well as cultural and religious needs.
All meals are prepared in the hospital’s central production kitchen before being transported to wards using specialist regeneration trolleys and served by DSFS staff.
New inpatient menu
As part of the refreshed offer, a new inpatient menu was launched in May, featuring two additions designed to enhance the experience for patients with specific nutritional needs.
The first is a dedicated finger food range, developed to promote dignity and independence, particularly for individuals living with dementia. This menu features familiar, easy-to-handle options that support independent eating and improve the overall dining experience.
The second is a high-energy mini meal range, created for patients with reduced appetites or those who require calorie-dense meals. These dishes deliver essential nutrition in smaller portions, supporting recovery and overall health.
To ensure a consistent and positive dining experience on the wards, Patient Service Assistants are taking part in sampling and training sessions to ensure the new meals are handled and served effectively.
Kim Beevers, Assistant director of Facilities at DSFS said: “We are delighted to continue working with Sodexo on our patient food and dining offer. Here at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, we know how important nutritious and tasty food is to our patients, and how it can support and aid recovery, as well as improving overall health and wellbeing. We also know how proud our colleagues are to serve great food, catering to patients with different preferences and diets.
“We are really looking forward to hearing from our patients and colleagues on what we can change to improve our offer and working with Sodexo to make those changes that really benefit our patients and improve their catering and dining experience when being cared for in our hospital.”
Philip Leigh, CEO Health & Care, Sodexo UK & Ireland added: “We know that good food and nutrition play a vital role in the patient journey, supporting recovery, improving wellbeing, and enhancing the overall experience. Working closely with DSFS and the Trust, we are committed to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that meet the diverse needs of patients.”
