By Stephen Melia
As first-time attendees at the HCA Forum in April, the team at Lolly came away feeling inspired, energised and encouraged by the conversations taking place across the healthcare catering sector.
From the moment the event opened, one theme stood out clearly: collaboration. In his opening remarks, the facilitator Chris Bavin, highlighted the importance of working together to further both individual and collective goals, and that spirit was evident throughout the Forum, from the seminar sessions to the exhibition floor.
For our team, the event was not only an opportunity to showcase our technology, but also to listen, learn and engage with the people shaping the future of healthcare catering.
A sector built on collaboration
There was a sense of shared purpose among exhibitors and delegates. A standout example came from Raj Foods, who were fundraising for two charities: The Crumbs Project and the Meningitis Research Foundation. Their “mug shot” initiative invited delegates and exhibitors to take a photo and share it on LinkedIn, with Raj Foods donating £10 for each post.
For me, it reinforced the fact that the healthcare catering sector is united by a common goal: improving outcomes and experiences for the people it serves.
Patient meal ordering took centre stage
Across Lolly’s conversations at the stand, one topic came up again and again: patient meal ordering.
Catering teams are increasingly looking for ways to make the ordering process smoother, easier and more accurate, not only for staff, but for patients also. There is a clear need to empower patients to make informed decisions about the meals they consume, while ensuring those choices reflect allergen requirements, dietary preferences and individual needs.
In today’s environment, reliable and up-to-date information is essential. Patients need confidence that the meal options available to them are suitable, while catering teams need reassurance that the information they are working from is accurate and consistent.
This is where technology has a major role to play. Through advanced patient meal ordering software and reliable integrations, catering teams can reduce manual processes, improve accuracy and deliver a more efficient service.
Tackling outdated technology
Beyond patient ordering, another recurring theme was the challenge of outdated technology still being used in many catering environments.
While budgetary pressures and operational constraints can often delay digital improvements, the conversations at the Forum highlighted the growing need for systems that can support modern catering teams more effectively.
Real-time data feeds, integrated platforms, mobile applications, self-service points of sale and patient ordering systems all have the potential to transform day-to-day operations. These technologies can support faster service, reduce duplication, improve accuracy and give teams better visibility over the information they need.
For Lolly, these discussions reinforced the importance of providing technology that is practical, reliable and designed around the realities of healthcare catering environments.
Supporting informed decision-making
One of the biggest opportunities for innovation over the next 12 to 24 months lies in giving consumers access to reliable, easy-to-use technology that supports informed decision-making.
In wider hospitality, self-service kiosks and mobile ordering apps are already common across high-street brands. The healthcare sector is now beginning to explore how similar approaches could improve the patient and visitor experience in hospitals and care environments.
However, Lolly recognises that technology must be introduced in a way that works for everyone. A generational approach is essential, ensuring that users can engage with catering services in the way that best suits them, whether that is through self-service technology, mobile ordering, or traditional face-to-face interactions.
The future of healthcare catering
For Lolly, the HCA Forum was an invaluable opportunity to hear new perspectives, understand current sector challenges and explore how technology can continue to make a meaningful difference.
The team left the event encouraged by the level of engagement from attendees and inspired by the sector’s willingness to share ideas, collaborate and look ahead.
As healthcare catering continues to evolve, the need for accurate information, efficient systems and patient-centred ordering experiences will only grow. Lolly is proud to be part of that conversation, helping catering teams embrace technology that supports better service, greater confidence and improved outcomes for all.
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