Eating Disorders: Concierge Companies

Friday 16 November 2012

Concierge Companies

In hospitals, concierge services are becoming increasingly available. A hospital concierge provides similar services to those of a hotel concierge, but serve patients and employees as well. This helps hospital employees who work long shifts, and helps to provide work-life balance. There are two schools of thought on the etymology of the word concierge. One is that it came about in France during the mid 16th century from the Latin conservus which means “fellow slave.” Others prefer the Old French derivation comte des cierges or “keeper of the candles.” These servants in noble houses who needed to know where all the functions in the palace would take place as they were in charge of maintaining the candles for each event. Over time, they assumed additional responsibilities, catering to the whims of the nobility.* The name of the profession turned into concierge over time and is primarily recognized as the assistance you receive in hotels.