News
November 2007
Nutrition Action Plan for older people
The Department of Health has published a national Nutritional Action Plan for older people in care. The plan aims to ensure that health and social care staff are well informed and supported to provide good nutrition and effective nutritional care. The action plan outlines five priorities for health and social care organisations:
- to raise awareness of the link between nutrition and good health and that malnutrition can be treated
- to ensure that accessible guidance is available across all sectors and that the most relevant guidance is appropriate and user-friendly
- to strongly encourage nutritional screening for all people using health and social care services; with particular attention to those groups who are known to be vulnerable
- to encourage provision and access to relevant training for frontline staff and managers on the importance of nutrition for good health and nutritional care
- to clarify standards and strengthen inspection and regulation
The Nutrition Action Plan can be downloaded from the Department of Health website