NHS Grampian is recognising the power of food when it comes to bringing people together. While ‘Pay Day Special’ menus were first introduced to drum up custom from staff, they are now helping to underpin the health board’s commitment to inclusion and diversity.
NHS Grampian catering
manager Stuart Donald explained: “We started going round the world with our
special menus and noticed it was bringing people together to celebrate. It
encourages curiosity and it gets people talking, so, with the backing of our
Staff Equalities Network, we decided to start inviting colleagues with
different cultural backgrounds to offer advice on what should be included in
the special menus.
“It has been quite an emotional journey. Nigerian Independence Day showed us it
was making a difference to people on a personal level. They were amazed how
authentic it was and said things like ‘it reminds me of home.’
“For my team here, it’s great to give them something new and different to focus on and be part of recognising all the different cultures brought together in the NHS. Even just within our kitchen we have team members who are originally from Asia, South America, all over Europe, and Africa.
“I think it’s more important than ever to celebrate all the different cultures we have around us. When you’re at the hospital you realise how many different cultures are here, doing a great job and all getting along together. I think it’s important to be welcoming and do it both ways. Yes, we can bring people together for traditionally Scottish experiences, and we can also recognise cultures from all round the world.”
NHS Grampian launched its Anti-Racism Plan in 2023, to help make progress as a workplace and as a community where everyone feels supported, included and empowered. The special menu events are now championed by its Staff Equalities Network, which has a central role in helping to promote understanding and supporting access to development opportunities, as well as the Grampian Empowered Multicultural Staff (GEMS) Group.
Dr Sneh Banik, a Consultant Stroke Physician at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, supports colleagues and students who experience prejudice. He said: “Over 40% of the medical workforce in the UK comes from ethnic minority backgrounds.
“What Stuart and his team have started here in Grampian is wonderful and can inspire much more positivity. When I was a junior doctor, I came to this country with good English language skills and a strong medical degree, confident in my knowledge and skills. However, I struggled to engage with colleagues and often felt I didn’t belong.
“I have come a long way since then, and I don’t want anybody to feel isolated. I want the staff and local community to appreciate the diversity of cultures, rituals and community practices amongst colleagues. Events such as these create a sense of belonging and fun whilst giving people an opportunity to know and trust each other. Ultimately, they help build close-knit and productive teams and foster a sense of wellbeing. The support of senior leaders like the Chair of the Board and Chief Executive is critical in creating an inclusive environment in which everyone can thrive.”
This week’s special menu to help colleagues mark the Islamic festival of Eid saw Stuart and his team opting for a Middle Eastern menu and specific foods colleagues said they would eat on this special day. NHS Grampian celebrates a whole host of annual and cultural events, including Burns Night, St Andrew's Day, and Christmas as well as special milestones celebrating cultures from around the globe.
Stuart added: “We’ve included colleagues from all over the world in giving us recipe ideas and cooking techniques. Even one or two very specific ingredients or little tips can make a huge difference. As a cook, it’s the reaction you get from the people you’re serving that makes it worth it. And through this it has been brilliant to see the joy on people’s faces. We’re really proud not just to be paying it lip service but doing a proper job and, if nothing else, it’s a nice plate of food.”
Any NHS Grampian staff member looking for support, or inspired the catering team’s efforts, can contact the Staff Equalities Network by emailing gram.staffequalities@nhs.scot