Bupa Wins Award for Hotel Services

One of the things that people appreciate about private health insurance is the high standard of catering that is provided by most private hospitals. Bupa's Cromwell Hospital has won Hotel Services Award at the 2009 Independent Healthcare Awards for its provision of excellent services.

For many people part of the experience of good health care is having a pleasant environment in which to recover. A home from home, or, even better, a five star hotel atmosphere where you are made to feel like a welcome guest whose needs are not trouble at all.

Michele Lahey, Chief Executive of Bupa Cromwell Hospital:

'Frequent surveys are a very effective way of finding out how patients, visitors and staff rate the hospital’s hotel services and enable us to redress any concerns quickly and efficiently. For example, our chefs make regular ward visits, talking to both patients and nurses to gain an insight into their needs. Hospital managers also conduct regular ‘walkabouts’, scoring individual areas for cleanliness and hygiene.

In addition, the comprehensive staff training and development programme and excellent team communication help attract and retain staff and deliver first-rate services for patients.'

Richard Hennelly, Hotel Services manager at Bupa Cromwell Hospital, said:

'Both the patient and staff experience at Bupa Cromwell Hospital is absolutely key to us, and winning this award underlines how important it is to listen to what people want and provide them with a service which exceeds their expectations.'

The 2009 Independent Healthcare Awards run by leading healthcare analysts Laing & Buisson and were held on 22 September 2009 at the London Hilton Park Lane Hotel. According to the organisers:

'This event exists to highlight the range of achievement within the independent health and care sector, and to pay tribute to those individuals and teams that have demonstrated excellence in their particular fields.'

Bupa are the leading provider of health insurance in the UK and the Cromwell Hospital is one of its flagships which is set in London's Chelsea area. The hospital was opened in 1981 and its main areas of speciality are in oncology, neurosciences, paediatrics and surgery.