On Our Mind
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides integrated healthcare services including intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire.
Our On Our Minds blog shares lived experiences from colleagues at the Trust and patients who use or have used our services on a variety of topics from a wide range of services.
Meet Sarah Kostewicz – Specialist Food Services Associate Nutritionist
I've worked in the NHS for 18 years, with most of that time spent in the world of Nutrition and Dietetics. It's a field I've always been passionate about - supporting people to improve their health through food.
Three years ago, I made the move to join the estates and facilities team at Nottinghamshire Healthcare, and I haven't looked back. It's a role that allows me to combine my nutrition expertise with hands-on involvement in the food services that directly impact our patients' experience of care.
I work alongside Hayley, our Lead Food Services Dietitian, and together we form a bridge between clinical teams and catering services. Our shared goal is to ensure that the food served across the Trust is not only nutritious but also tasty, culturally appropriate, and safe - especially for patients with specialist dietary needs.
Every day is different. We're involved in everything from menu planning and recipe development to nutritional analysis and adapting meals to meet medical or personal dietary requirements. We also work closely with catering teams and food groups across the Trust, helping them respond to patient feedback and turning those insights into meaningful improvements.
One of the things I enjoy most about my role is that it's so varied and collaborative. It's not just about nutrients on a plate - it's about ensuring food is a positive part of someone's recovery, comfort, and overall hospital experience.
Being part of estates and facilities is a real privilege. It's a vibrant, supportive, and diverse team where everyone is committed to making a difference, even if much of the work happens behind the scenes. Whether it's through food, cleaning, maintenance, portering, or laundry services - estates and facilities teams keep the NHS going, day in and day out.
As someone who now straddles both clinical and operational worlds, I'm proud to champion the essential role food plays in patient care - and proud to be part of a team that delivers that care with compassion and professionalism.
Want to join the #TeamNottsHC family? Check out our latest vacancies on our website!
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