Trust catering assistant Roma Tate has served up a long and dedicated service to the NHS – and retirement is definitely not on the menu just yet.
Roma, who works at Flatts Lane Centre in Middlesbrough, developed a passion for cooking as a kid – and her culinary skills have even taken her to 10 Downing Street.
“I started off by baking cakes when I little, then found I really liked working with food and serving customers,” she said.
“Now, after more than 30 years of working in catering for the NHS, I still love my job. It’s not just about the food, it’s about chatting and helping people as well.”
Trip to 10 Downing Street
Roma started off her NHS catering career at Poole Hospital near Middlesbrough in 1988, then moved to Stead Memorial at Redcar when Poole closed.
She spent a happy decade catering for both staff and patients at Stead, until it was finally closed and replaced by Redcar Primary Care Hospital.
“It was while I was in Redcar that I got nominated to see Tony Blair,” she recalls. “I thought it was a joke at first, but it was for real, and I got to visit 10 Downing Street.
“I’m not really sure why I was asked, but I think they were marking the service of NHS staff and I was one of the longest serving at the time. It was an amazing event.
“I still remember walking up the stairs to Number 10 and through the front door. The carpet was a bit scruffy, but the canapes were nice and there was plenty of wine!
“Unfortunately, the Prime Minister’s wife wasn’t too well, so he disappeared early, but he told me to feel free to look around – so I did. It’s my claim to fame!”
Working in NHS is a vocation
Once Stead closed, Roma was determined to stay with the NHS and transferred to a hospital in Guisborough – but was made redundant when catering was outsourced.
She went on to work as a postie, as well as at Asda, but when the chance of a catering job came up at Flatts Lane she jumped at the chance of an NHS return.
“I love working as a catering assistant, I really do. Working for the NHS is something I’ve done for most of my life. It keeps me going!” said Roma, from Teesside.
“I have some lovely memories, like helping out with a Queen’s Coronation spread back when I was a Stead. I got a lovely letter of thanks for that,” she said.
“Most of the time I just cater for staff now, but in the early years I used to help dish out food on the wards as well – helping to look after patients and chat to them all.”
Roma, who has just turned 60, has seen many changes during her 32 years with the NHS – and remains dedicated to working for Britain’s “national treasure.”
Indeed, just a few weeks ago, she took part in a Park Run in Middlesbrough to mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS – and has no plans to put her feet up and retire.
Dedicated to working for ‘national treasure’
“When I started working in hospitals it was all cook/chill food, but the menus have changed a lot. There are more salads and other healthier options now,” she said.
“I’ve grown up with the NHS. It is good to know that it’s there if you need it. It’s a very special organisation and I feel proud to be part of it.
“It does get busy, but I still enjoy my work. I never thought I’d stay as long as I did, but I’ve moved hospitals several times just so I could keep on working for the NHS.”
