The words ‘hospital’, ‘hotel’ and ‘hostel’ have the same etymological roots. I’ve received answers from the legal people: ” No, they are not – linguistics does not equal Law.” Is there anything to stop hospital “hotel services” being the housekeeping, portering and catering staff from affiliating with the hotel industry such that their work is recognised by the hotel industry?
A hospital is a facility where sick people receive medical treatment with the aim of curing or alleviating their conditions. This may or may not involve overnight accomodation and the provision of associated services. A hotel is a facility where people receive hospitality such as food and lodging for 1 or more nights.
Just because the words “hospital” and “hotel” may have the same linguistic root does not make any difference at all to the current everyday use of these words, or the services that may be offered under these descriptions.
What do you mean by staff “affiliating” with the hotel industry, or having work “recognised” by the hotel industry? Where the skills are identical or similar (eg catering) staff from hotels will be able to use their experience to obtain work in hospitals, and vice versa. If you mean union recognition / affiliation then anyone is free to join any union they choose. However, unions tend to be organised along industry lines, meaning the unions who represent NHS workers don’t represent hotel workers and vice versa. So you will be better off being a member of the union that is relevant to your industry sector.
The Hospitality section of UK hospitals are now run by outside Contractors such as Compass. The NHS do not employ the individuals but the Contractors do. That includes catering, cleaning etc. Hotel/hospital catering, portering and housekeeping is the same whether you work for a private hotel or a hospital.
EDIT: What are you on about. It is the same job just a different environment. My husband has worked for hospitals and large hotels. Staff have to have the same basic qualifications for both. Same goes if you work on a cruise liner or a school.