Further to the recent review of the organisation’s out-of-hours catering offer, we are pleased to confirm that an additional microwave has now been installed within the Peter Smith Surgery Centre café area.

In addition to the microwave a supply of frozen meals is also on-hand, helping to replicate the offer available from The Hub and that is available to all colleagues who work out-of-hours shifts. It is hoped that the provision of these facilities in the Peter Smith Surgery Centre area will increase convenience and accessibility for colleagues, ensuring all can make the most of their breaks.

Please note that the freezer and microwave can be located behind the coffee bar in the Surgery Centre.

Efforts to improve our out-of-hours catering offer come after efforts to consult colleagues from throughout #TeamGateshead throughout December 2022. Recent improvements aim to aid the organisation’s compliance with new national standards for healthcare food and drink as well as the BMA Fatigue and Facilities Charter.

A medium and long-term plan is also in place, targeted at developing a more sustainable and diverse offer and efforts these efforts will continue to unfold throughout 2023. Further updates will be provided through Balance channels as well as regular communications such as Gateshead Health Weekly.

In the meantime, those with further feedback or queries are asked to get in touch on [email protected].

The Trust would like to again thank its catering team and QE Facilities for their support in implementing improvements.