Elderly at risk because nurses are too busy to help them eat
BASIC steps to ensure elderly patients do not become malnourished in hospital have been snubbed by almost half of all NHS trusts, a survey suggests.
Despite ample evidence that many vulnerable older patients need help during mealtimes, the issue is being ignored by health chiefs. [>
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One in three said they had not even introduced a “red tray” system which means patients who cannot feed themselves are served on a red tray, alerting nurses to their needs. [>
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A separate check with nurses found that around half said they were not given enough time to help patients during mealtimes. [>
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The survey of 110 general NHS trusts found that 43 per cent still allowed disruptions from doctors during mealtimes, rather than letting patients eat in peace. [>
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Patrick South, from Age Concern, said: “For older people, missed meals in hospital can be as big a risk to safety as missing medication.” [>
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The charity said it feared the true scale of the problem could be even higher, after a further 56 trusts did not respond to the survey. [>
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Recent figures revealed up to 30,000 incidents relating to patient nutrition in the past year. These included patients being left unable to reach their food – and then having it taken away. [>
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The lack of proper care for patients has been highlighted by the Daily Express Respect For The Elderly crusade. [>
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At present, the Government has not specifically told NHS trusts they must introduce protected mealtimes or red tray systems. Last night, a Department of Health spokeswoman said the Nutrition Action Plan, launched in October 2007 in conjunction with more than 25 leading stakeholders, aimed to outline how nutritional care and hydration could be improved among vulnerable adults. [>
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She added: “We recognise that protected meal times are an issue and are working on them in conjunction with our partners, including Age Concern, who sit on the Nutrition Action Plan Board.” [>
