Age Concern And Help The Aged Respond To New Figures On Hospital Malnutrition, UK

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 22 Jan 2010 - 2:00 PDT

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In response to new figures on malnutrition in hospitals released by the Conservatives, Andrew Harrop, Head of Public Policy for Age Concern and Help the Aged, said:

'It's scandalous to see that malnutrition is still a huge problem in our hospitals and care homes. Nutritious food and help with eating is an essential part of basic care which must be recognised by all staff.

'Shockingly six out of ten1 older people are at risk of becoming malnourished or their situation getting worse in hospital. This leads to longer stays in hospitals, the need for more drugs and interventions and more post-operative complications.

'At a time of big cuts, there are billions to be saved by effectively tackling this problem. Yet despite a commitment from the Government to take action2, many NHS Trusts are yet to introduce protected mealtimes and one in three NHS Trusts still haven't introduced red-tray systems to identify those who need help with eating and drinking.3

'Until nutrition is given top priority in every ward and care setting, older people will continue to be needlessly malnourished, putting their health at risk.'

Notes

1. Malnutrition within an Ageing Population: A call to action, European Nutrition for Health Alliance

2. The Nutrition Action Plan Delivery Board has been established in order to drive forward implementation of a Nutrition Action Plan

3. According to monitoring undertaken by the charity as part of its Hungry to be heard campaign

4. The charity's Hungry to be Heard campaign exposed the national scandal of malnourished older patients in hospitals, the campaign voices the concerns of older people and their relatives/carers about inappropriate meals and a lack of assistance with eating for those who are unable to manage on their own.

The seven steps for Hungry to Be Heard are:

- Hospital staff must listen to older people, and their relatives and carers
- All ward staff must become 'food aware'
- Hospital staff must follow their own professional codes and guidance from other bodies
- Older people must be assessed for the signs or danger of malnourishment on admission and at regular intervals during their stay
- Introduce 'protected mealtimes'
- Implement a 'red tray system' and ensure that it works in practice
- Use volunteers where appropriate.

5. Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged. We will be known by our new name from Spring 2010. The Age UK family includes Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI.

Source
Help The Aged

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