Growing Malnutrition

Building upon our ‘Older People’s Food Surveys’ (2002/2003), and our ‘Older People’s Food Inquiry’ (2004/2005), we ran four public consultations in North and South Wales in the latter half of 2005. This activity allowed us to provide three sets of evidence to the National Service Framework for Older People (NSF). Our key theme was that the Assembly ‘Appetite for Life’ for pupils held many lessons, which would be of benefit to other vulnerable population groups.

Detailed amendments were submitted to the NSF, which now provides an excellent analysis, evidencing growing malnutrition, which requires local and national action. ‘Robust data capture’ is required to measure this issue. This has been raised with the Assembly and the FSA, and action requested in the interim review of ‘Food and Well Being’.

In 2005, when we electronically checked local Health, Social Care and Wellbeing strategies, we found very little reference to the needs of older people (or other vulnerable population groups). Either local strategies are incomplete, or these needs are not understood. This NSF offers detailed references and analysis, and provides the levers for people to drive this issue forward at local levels. We hope that everyone will seize this opportunity for local action.

Following our ‘Innovation and the New Public Service’ nutrition workshop (June 2006), Age Concern England released survey results which showed that nine out of ten nurses didn't have the time to help the elderly and vulnerable at meal times. We challenge the view that insufficient resources are available to allow nurses to have adequate time to provide the necessary nutrition, fluids and nutritional care. We observe good practice in some and not other NHS hospitals. This could possibly point to the need for different priorities and better time management focused upon the patient’s needs and circumstances. Let us know your views.

Our Older Peoples Food Survey found a mixed picture. Patient dissatisfaction could arise between different systems, such as cook freeze, cook chill, or prime production for ‘on site’ consumption, poor investment in food service and staff training. We want to know about the good and the bad, the beacons of excellence as well as the sloughs of despair. How could it be improved? Is this an issue being raised by your CHC or a Hospital Patients Panel? Do let us know.

• We understood that NNW would engage with people. Currently it is only an electronic network and this is quite different from Scotland.

• How open and transparent is the management of NNW? How compliant is NNW with Assembly Beecham recommendations and FSA policy on public engagement?

• What criteria will be used when deciding to locate other activities within their remit?

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In its evidence WFA will (i) urge a Food Policy for Wales, (ii) a strategy that addresses growing malnutrition in an ageing population and food education in our schools, (iii) present evidence given to the UK Food Standards Agency Dean Inquiry in 2004 and (iv) propose the separation of responsibilities for implementing and then monitoring food policy. This will be essential in ensuring progress and delivery.

• The Learning Country 2: Delivering the Promise
• UK Food Preparation & Cooking NVQ occupational standards
• ‘Appetite for Life’
• Older Peoples Strategy Beyond 2008,
• ‘Fulfilled Lives, Supportive Communities’ (Social Services Strategy)
• Making the Connections – improved public services
• Building Better Customer Service – Core Principles for Public Services
• Beecham Review
• Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007/2013 - Strategic Plan
• Wales NHS Workforce education, development and contracting unit
• UK Health Care Support Workers - employer and employee codes of practice and standards.
• National Framework for Education and Training of
• Health Care Support Workers in Wales
• ‘Food & Wellbeing’ – ‘interim review’
• Older Peoples Commissioner Regulations
• Draft Government of Wales Act
• Evaluation of Food Education Provision in Wales
• EU REACH chemical regulation
• Social Care Sector (Staff in Direct Care Settings) Skills Review
• Social Services Inspectorate Wales Review Programme, 2006 onwards
• National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People
• Medicines for Older People NSF
• Health Promotion Action Plan for Older People