A new nursing care programme aimed at improving standards for patient food in hospital was launched today revealing:
Four out of 10 older people admitted to hospital have malnutrition.
Patients who are malnourished stay in hospital for longer, require more medications and are more likely to suffer infections
Only 18 per cent of patients are satisfied with the quality of food served; and
Between 30% and 50% of hospital food is wasted.
For this reason the ‘Get your 10 a day!’ standards have been developed for use by nurses across all in-patient facilities in Northern Ireland. Along side other important initiatives it will see patients who require support with eating and drinking clearly identified and all patients admitted to hospital screened for risk of malnutrition as well as high risk patients receiving a full nutritional assessment.
“When patients are ill, there is more risk of them not eating the right balance of nutrients which will help their recovery,” the health minister stated ahead of the launch today. “The challenge for all healthcare workers is to encourage and support patients in meeting their nutritional needs.
“I am delighted that nurses and midwives have put food in hospital high on their agenda and are leading the way in improving patient care,” he added.
Chief Nursing Officer Martin Bradley said nursing standards outlined in ‘Get your 10 a day’ are designed to help patients, relatives and carers shape the way that food and drink is offered and taken in hospitals.
“By working with nurses, healthcare assistants, dieticians, catering staff as well as speech and language therapists, we are working towards improving the patient experience of food and mealtimes in hospitals,” he added.
Notes to Editors:
- 'Get your 10 a day!' The Nursing Care Standards for Patient Food in Hospital has been developed as a collaboration between the DHSSPS Directorate of Nursing and Midwifery and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) as a Northern Ireland response to the RCN’s national Nutrition Nowcampaign.
- 'Get your 10 a day!' The Nursing Care Standards for Patient Food in Hospital has been developed for use across all in-patient facilities in the health and social care Trusts across Northern Ireland.
- The nursing care standards outlined in 'Get your 10 a day!' represent the views and experiences of a broad range of stakeholders and were informed by an extensive evidence-base of knowledge and best practice from throughout the United Kingdom.
- Copies of 'Get your 10 a day!' The Nursing Care Standards for Patient Food in Hospital are also available online at www.dhsspsni.gov.uk
- Media queries to Richard Stewart, DHSSPSNI Press Office on 028 9052 0571. Out of office hours contact the EIS Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440.
