The CAP Awards, one of the healthcare industry’s leading measures of quality in catering and housekeeping, are undergoing a major expansion.

The Awards, which are open to care homes and hospitals across the UK, are increasingly seen as THE badge of quality for catering and housekeeping services and are becoming ever more relevant to residents and patients.

During the next 12 months the CAP (Continuing Advancement Programme) Awards are aiming for a 50 per cent increase in the number of care homes and hospitals accredited to the scheme. There are currently 115 award-winning institutions.

Managing Director Ian Jackson said a growing number of care homes and hospitals were applying to have their housekeeping and catering services rated by CAP, which awards either a Bronze, Silver or Gold level for the quality of service on offer.

He said: “With increased public scrutiny on healthcare providers there is a real desire to drive up standards in housekeeping and catering – areas of the service which end users instantly make judgments on. Our growth will meet this demand and help providers showcase their high standards.

“A CAP Award is a stamp of approval against regulations and industry ‘best practices’. It also highlights where efficiency savings can be made, crucially at no cost to the quality of the service. There is a growing recognition that ‘specialist’ support in measuring, monitoring and progressing these key services adds real value to the business.”

The CAP Awards are based on actual operational performance rather than just supporting paperwork, for instance, is staff training reflected in their actual working practices.

Each provider receives a score measured on the performance in a real-life audit with an action plan for future progression and ‘hand holding’ to help ensure that the plan is delivered within specified time frames. If a nominee doesn’t reach the Bronze level then support is provided to help corrective actions.

The programme provides practical support and help in progressing the services

‘Tools of the Trade’ are provided as appropriate i.e. food waste controls, kitchen checklists, supplier due diligence questionnaires, etc.

Ian added that the Awards were also key to staff motivation: “Catering and housekeeping teams can sometimes be overlooked so the Awards provide an opportunity to champion these hardworking departments and celebrate their efforts, this can in turn assist staff retention.”

Crucially care home residents and hospital patients now expect far higher levels of transparency when it comes to the services they are using and the CAP Awards build that reassurance and trust.

Ian said: “A CAP Award provides assurances for friends and relatives of the service user that their loved one is being treated well and experiencing a high level of care.

“Because our analysis is across all aspects of the housekeeping and catering operations, from staff welfare to food storage and from menu balance to financials, service users can trust a CAP Award as a meaningful badge of quality.”

To find out if your facility could achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold Cap Award by email, phone or enquiry form bellow.