"Staff in the children's canteen"

About: Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick children

(as a service user),

Some of the staff attitude we witnessed in the canteen towards parents, customers, and even other staff was disgraceful. Complete lack of manners, talking to people in an extremely bad tone, how dare they.

A staff member was very rude to my wife, we are under immense pressure with our son, who is getting to best care we could have asked for, but this situation in the canteen needs addressed.

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Responses

Response from Patricia McKinney, Interim Co-Director Child Health and NISTAR, SPECIALIST HOSPITALS & WOMEN'S HEALTH, Belfast HSC Trust 5 days ago
Patricia McKinney
Interim Co-Director Child Health and NISTAR, SPECIALIST HOSPITALS & WOMEN'S HEALTH,
Belfast HSC Trust
Submitted on 12/03/2025 at 16:59
Published on Care Opinion at 16:59


Dear Stephen572,

My name is Trish McKinney and I am the Co-Director for Child Health & NISTAR. Thank you for taking the time to describe your experience and thank you for the positive comments about the care your son has received. I hope he is making a speedy recovery.

I note your comments about the attitude of staff in the canteen and am very sorry to read that staff were rude to your wife. I apologise unreservedly and I will ensure your feedback is brought to the attention of the relevant management team so that they can address your concerns with staff.

Once again thank you for taking the time provide feedback particularly as you describe being under immense pressure due to your sons illness.

Yours sincerely

Trish

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Update posted by Stephen572 (a service user)

Thanks Trish for your response.

I hope the relevant staff can learn from this as manners are very handy carried in life. I am sure many parents and visitors have been affected but said nothing. I couldn't let this go and I am sure you know where I am coming from.

Response from Johns Johnston, Senior Manager, Catering, PCSS, Royal Group Hospitals, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust 4 days ago
Johns Johnston
Senior Manager, Catering, PCSS, Royal Group Hospitals,
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Submitted on 13/03/2025 at 15:26
Published on Care Opinion at 16:49


Thank you for posting your message. This message has been shared with Catering Manager responsible for the Children's Canteen. It is very disappointing to hear of your recent experience which is certainly not reflective of the service we aspire too. Your experience will also be shared with the Catering Team and their extremely poor customer service will be fully addressed.

Please accept my apologies on behalf of the Catering Department.

Regards

John S Johnston, Senior Manager Catering, Belfast Trust

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