IHHC schedules packed calendar of activities and events for 2023

2023 is shaping up to be a busy year for the IHHC with a packed calendar of activities and events. In March the QLD/NSW branch held an IHHC Aged Care Menu Planning and Food Safety workshop, at which Queensland Health Senior Dietitian/Consultant Denise Cruickshank presented on how to design a menu for aged care facilities and how to assess that menu against the QLD & NSW menu standards. An informative session was also provided by Jon Gibson from IHHC Platinum Supporter Smooth Dining, with attendees getting to sample their products – all were impressed with how good Smooth Dining’s shaped textured modified food looks and tastes.

After lunch, IHHC Life Member and Correct Food Systems Managing Director Gary Kennedy presented on food safety changes and allergen labelling that will be mandatory from later this year and early next year. Such was the success of the workshop that it was held again in Brisbane on Tuesday 18 April.

Celebrating Hospitality Workers in Healthcare Day

March also saw our annual Hospitality Workers in Healthcare Day celebration – a day in which we publicly acknowledge and celebrate the important contribution that hospitality workers make in the healthcare sector. The day is the brainchild of former IHHC WA Chair Carey Bray, who initiated the first event in 2018.

IHHC National President Lisa Cranham explains, “In hospitals, clinical teams are recognised with their special days, but the non-clinical teams tend to not be as high profile. So this day was designed to give some extra recognition, to give those teams a higher professional profile as well as a morale boost. Carey was very passionate about the concept from the start, he was the one who ensured it would be a national event, promoted via the IHHC. Each year it’s gained a little more momentum and now we’re seeing people and organisations celebrating it across the nation. We hope it will become a permanent feature in everyone’s calendar!”

The IHHC extends on behalf of all support services staff our acknowledgement of the great work you are doing. The above photos showcase some of the Hospitality Workers in Healthcare Day celebrations held in Brisbane.

The IHHC Board has also committed to a minimum of four national webinars a year, as members have indicated they are enjoying these. The Victorian Committee hosted the first for the year on 28 March, looking at “first of its kind” technology which will detect harmful contaminants and pathogens at scale and at a fraction of the cost of legacy technologies.

SA and WA branches hold Meet and Greet events

The IHHC’s SA branch has held its first breakfast for the year, hosting 80 members and supporters at the Naval Military and Airforce Club. Guest speaker was Drew Grosser, food safety expert for SA Health. His presentation on the new 3.2.2A Food Standards was very well received and sparked a lot of questions from the audience. The SA branch’s annual Meet and Greet, an informal event where members and supporters can come together and share a few drinks and network, was hosted on 20 April. WA branch also recently had a Meet and Greet event at the Island Brew house, which saw a great turnout of 30 members, supporters and guests.

Planning is well underway for the annual IHHC National Conference to be held in Adelaide from Monday 16 – Wednesday 18 October 2023 at the Adelaide Hilton Hotel. By the time you read this the conference committee will be assessing the abstracts submitted for presentations and hands-on workshops. We look forward to a terrific turnout as we welcome delegates and supporters to our 40th annual conference!

The IHHC Excellence Awards have been expanded for 2023 with two additional award categories: a Sustainability Award and a Leadership in Advocacy Award. Nominations have already opened for WA and will be open for other states from 1 May. We look forward to publicly acknowledging our well-deserved finalists and winners for both the state and national awards later in the year. The combined Victorian and Tasmanian state Excellence Awards presentation has already been scheduled for July, with date and time set to be announced soon.

TROY LITZOW

IHHC National Vice-President

If you’re a hospitality worker in healthcare, you can join the IHHC by contacting admin@ihhc.org.au