STAFF at Dalmuir’s Golden Jubilee Hospital are learning new skills while they work.

Faifley food services assistant Carly McCarron recently began her Level 5 in hospitality services at the health centre.

As well as helping keep patients well fed, safe and cared for, she is developing her skillsets and personal development through various SVQ levels through the hospital’s learning scheme.

Carly also delivers food to patients in the ward who use the new bedside menu ordering system (BMOS), which allows catering staff to focus on delivering quality healthcare that is person-centred, safe and effective.

The 20-year-old, who has worked at the hospital for three years, said: “I really enjoy my job, especially making sure patients are fed well and getting to work alongside the teams on the wards. It is great to have the option of career development and there are lots of opportunities here.”

Colleague Catherine McKechnie is now moving on to Level 8 in hospitality management.

Catherine, 56, from Clydebank, has worked at the Golden Jubilee for more than eight years and has gone from starting as a food services assistant to senior team leader in the catering department, helping to oversee the career development of her colleagues.

She said: “I really love my work here and working in this team, making sure menus are processed correctly for our patients and staff.

“I have been here eight years now and I have been through all the courses Carly is doing now and they can do the same if they want and progress their own careers further, which I know they can do.”

Jann Gardner, chief executive of NHS Golden Jubilee, said: “I am delighted that so many of our staff, from such a wide range of departments over the years, have been successful in completing the SVQ levels they have worked to achieve.

“Our staff are our biggest asset and as an NHS employer we support employees’ learning and development goals.

“By investing in our staff, our organisation can only benefit from the achievements of those who have completed this qualification.

“Wherever their careers take them in the future, those achieving the SVQ qualifications have shown that they have a set level of competency which is relevant and transferable in today’s workplace.”