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Malnutrition

Answer

Food and nutrition in nursing and residential homes is extensively covered in the existing ‘Care Homes for Older People—National Minimum Standards', which is available in the Library. The national minimum standards, which the Commission for Social Care Inspection has to take into account when it inspects homes against the Care Homes Regulations 2001, address food and nutrition from various perspectives, including nutritional content, religious or cultural requirements, preparation and hygiene and the social value of meals and mealtimes.'Standards for Better Health', which is available in the Library, requires health care organisations, including hospitals, to offer patients a choice of food, which is safely prepared, provides a balanced diet and meets their individual nutritional, personal and clinical dietary requirements. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory for any provider treating national health service patients and is measured via the Healthcare Commission's annual health check process.Nutritional standards in hospitals are also included in the Essence of Care framework for clinical governance, launched in February 2001. The Essence of Care benchmarking guidance and toolkit was published in April 2003. This includes guidelines that all hospital patients should be screened and assessed to identify their nutritional needs and that further assessment will take place for all patients identified as at risk. Plans of care, based on ongoing nutritional assessments, will be devised, implemented and evaluated for those patients who need them.‘Essence of Care' is available at:"www.modern.nhs.uk/home/key/docs/Essence%20of%20 Care.pdf."A copy has been placed in the library.The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is contributing to improving the nutrient and food intake as provided by major public institutions, including nursing homes, residential homes, hospitals and meals on wheels or lunch clubs across the United Kingdom. This will include the development of nutrient and food-based guidance as well as example menus to assist caterers in menu planning, both of which will meet nutritional guidance.The FSA has met with the National Association of Care Caterers and the Women's Royal Voluntary Services and they are supportive of this work.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

445 c1777-8W;445 c1777-8W; 64288

Session

2005-06

Related items

Deposited Paper DEP 06/900
Thursday, 4 May 2006
Deposited papers
House of Commons

Subjects

Nutrition

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk