Ward caterer Ivy has been dishing up meals for more than 20 years

25 July 2022

For two decades Ivy Bruce-Gokah has been going out of her way to make sure her patients are getting the nourishment they need while they recover in hospital.

The ward-based caterer working in Facilities, Patient Catering at UHW has not only been serving up meals to patients since 2002 but she also puts smiles on their faces and has been referred to as ‘a ray of sunshine’.

During Ivy’s career she has plated up more than a whopping 600,000 meals and if there’s not something on the menu her patients like she will make sure she can get something they will eat.

“My satisfaction is getting patients what they want to eat even if it’s not on the menu, putting a smile on their face and seeing them get better,” said Ivy, who was congratulated on her long service by Charles Janczewski Chair of Cardiff and Vale UHB.

“If people haven’t eaten for a couple of days then that’s a worry as you need food to help the medication for them to get better.

“I will go out of my way to get food that the patient wants. I’ve had patients that wouldn’t eat anything so I asked a nurse to ask their family what they normally like to eat. When they told me it was sausages I made them for her and didn’t say anything just put them in front of her. The next thing the nurse came to me and said ‘Ivy, it’s like magic they’ve disappeared’ that made me happy.

“If I try and they still don’t eat well then I’ve tried my best and that’s all I can do.”

A typical day for Ivy includes starting at 7am and getting the breakfast trolley together which can include porridge, scrambled egg, beans, toast, fruit, yogurt, juice, tea and coffee.

Once breakfast service and dishes have been cleared Ivy looks to do a tea round and take orders for lunch.

“I always make sure I have a back-up plan for patients, sometimes they just want something light like a salad,” said Ivy, who is known as Mamma to her colleagues.

“I’ve worked on every ward in the hospital including paeds and maternity but C1 feels like home.

“Some patients have received bad news and some can take it out on you but I don’t take it to heart as I know they don’t mean it, it can be quite stressful for people while they are in hospital and many people will always apologise afterwards.”

Ivy has now been joined by her nephew Japhet, 26, who has also joined the Facilities, Patient Catering as a caterer.

“I enjoy my job, working with the staff and patients,” said Ivy who recently lost her husband Theo. “He was my rock and supported me with my work. If I can put a smile on someones face then my problems will be ok.”

Sarah Bartlett, Patient Catering Team Manager, said: “Ivy is a well-liked member of staff and is respected by everyone. Her smile lights up a room. And her laugh can make anyone and everyone smile.

“She always puts the patients first, and will help us out covering whenever we ask.”