The programme will improve nutrition and hydration care and the eating and feeding practices in the various types of adult social care settings. This will improve people’s ability to access healthy food and fluids that meet their nutrition requirements and are appropriate for their stage of life, preventing malnutrition and dehydration.
The role of Nutrition Advocate will be taken on voluntarily by a team member with a keen interest in food and nutrition, who is in a position to bring about change in the unit, and can make a time commitment to leading the nutrition project in the workplace and attending nutrition advocate training and project meetings.
Karen Oliver, NACC chair, explained: “Low awareness of malnutrition and dehydration amongst service users, carers and care professionals is still widespread. Having a focus for good nutrition in all settings is therefore vital. The Nutrition Advocates will provide a crucial link in the Nutrition Pathway for any social or health care setting. Many social and health care staff are in a position to help monitor the health of older people so it is imperative that we ensure they have the awareness and tools to provide the care our vulnerable patients and service users deserve. The Nutrition Advocates will be important components in this process.”
Janice Gillan, HCA chair, commented: “The Nutrition Advocates would further underpin key messages in hospitals and healthcare teams such as protected mealtimes. With the strong economic argument for supporting people with good nutrition and hydration there is a need to ensure every health care setting and team has someone in place to keep abreast of the changing face of good nutritional care.”
For more information visit www.thenacc.co.uk.