At a Glance

• Client: Royal Brompton & Harefield (Royal Brompton Hospital)
• Sector: Healthcare
• Challenge: A previous patient meal ordering platform cost £15,000 a year, offered limited functionality beyond tablet-based ordering, and was complex enough that only one member of staff could use it.
• Solution: Adoption of Avendra International's Pi eProcurement system, including online ordering, stock management, invoice management and the Picnic electronic patient meal ordering system, at no extra cost for the Pi system itself.
• Results: Better functionality than the previous paid system with no platform fee, a wider team able to use the system day to day, pictorial menus supporting national food and drink standards and non-English-speaking staff, and recognition through the Hospital Catering Awards.

Royal Brompton & Harefield: introducing Pi after previous manual systems

With a Silver Food 4 Life Award firmly in the sights for Nuno Matias, Catering Services Manager for Royal Brompton & Harefield, he explains how, with support from Pelican Procurement Services ( now known as Avendra International) and the use of the Pi eProcurement system, he has been able to not only achieve this goal but is now working towards attaining the gold:

“I have been working with Avendra International and their Pi eProcurement system for the past two years, and I must say it has been an incredible experience. Once I was introduced to Avendra International , I never looked back. I was aware of the capabilities a company like Avendra International possessed having worked with procurement, and they have certainly lived up to my expectations.

Adopting Pi: online ordering, stock and patient meal ordering

Using the Pi system has been a game-changer for our operations. Initially, I was not familiar with the Pi system, but with training and support, we are using a number of the Pi modules – from online ordering, stock management, invoice management and more recently, Picnic which is the electronic patient meal ordering system.

The introduction of Picnic gives us the ability to provide a pictorial menu and includes a picture for every single product, which helps us to meet the national food and drink standards. It aids in effective communication, particularly with staff members for whom English is not their first language. This is going to be huge for us, and we are continuing to roll out more tablets to extend our digital patient ordering.

The results: better functionality with no extra platform fee

Previously, we worked with another supplier for a patient meal ordering platform, paying a fee of £15,000 per year.

The tablets were the only functional aspect of the system, allowing us to manually create recipes and manage stock. However, with Avendra International’s Pi system, we not only have far better functionality but also don’t have to pay for the Pi system itself. No one else can match this. It gives me peace of mind and helps me to manage budgets effectively significantly.

Having used a similar system in the past, I can confidently say that Avendra International ’s Pi system surpasses it in every aspect. It’s so much easier to use; the previous system was complicated, and I was the only person able to use it. With Avendra International’s Pi, my wider team uses it, prices are automatically updated, recipes are easily updated, and my wider team uses it day to day. It’s near perfection! It’s helping us a lot, and I have no regrets!

The Pi system has opened up endless possibilities for me, and there’s still more I intend to use, such as a waste management app. I am constantly discovering new features and functionalities in Pi that enhance our processes. We’ve started using the Foodchecker, where our staff, patients, and visitors now have easy access to essential nutritional information and allergen details. The entire procurement cycle and our processes have been streamlined and optimised with Avendra International’s support.

The more I use Pi, the more impressed I am – and I know it’s going to keep getting better. It simplifies my job, allowing me to focus on my core responsibilities. The best part is that I no longer have to worry about suppliers because Avendra International takes care of everything.

Achieving award-winning standards with ongoing procurement support

The peace of mind I have gained from Avendra International’s services is priceless. Whether it’s ensuring competitive prices, obtaining products on our list, or sourcing as many organic items as possible, Avendra Internationalhas always come through. As a catering management professional, there are countless things to worry about, but with Avendra International by my side, I can let go of those concerns. The support is there all of the time.

Without Avendra International and its Pi system, I would not have achieved half of what I have accomplished so far. We have received the Hospital Catering Awards for the work we do, however without Avendra International’s support, I don’t think I would have achieved this so soon. Avendra International’s unwavering support has been instrumental in our success.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional support I have received from Avendra International. Their responsiveness is remarkable, and I always feel reassured knowing that they will address any concerns promptly. Their commitment to assisting me and my team is reassuring, and we are genuinely excited about the partnership. I see Mia our account manager and Avendra International as an extension to my team.

Innovation was a significant factor that attracted me to my role, and Avendra International has undoubtedly helped elevate our hospital to meet higher standards, especially when it comes to providing fresh, cooked food. They have become an integral part of my team.”

Talk to Avendra International about NHS catering technology

If you need support with your projects, initiatives and rewards, or would like to book a demo of our Pi eProcurement system, please call us at 01252 705214 or send an email to hello_UK@avendra.com.