Nutrition, hydration and feeding in hospitals review
HOSC has completed a review of nutrition, hydration and feeding in hospitals. The scope of the review included:
- Nutrition, hydration and feeding policies and practices
- Prevalence of protected meal times
- Issues related to assisted eating
- Screening for malnutrition on admittance to hospital
- Appropriateness of hospital food
The Review Board comprised: Councillors Alex Hough (Chairman), Eve Martin, Ruth O'Keeffe, Di Phillips, Sylvia Tidy.
The final report is now available to download. You can also read the press release.
As part of this review, HOSC commissioned East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove Local Involvement Network (LINk) volunteers to undertake visits to local hospitals to observe practice at mealtimes and to talk to patients and carers about their experiences. The findings of the LINk visits are outlined in their reports, available below. The LINk findings were one part of the evidence used by HOSC to inform the review.
East Sussex LINk report on visits to East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust (Conquest Hospital, Hastings and Eastbourne District General Hospital)
Brighton and Hove and West Sussex LINks' report on visits to Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust (Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton and Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath)
HOSC is continuing to monitor progress with the implementation of the changes. A progress report was presented to HOSC at its meeting on the 16th June 2011.
Following on from the review, representatives of HOSC also visited the Catering Central Production Unit at the Conquest Hospital in Hastings, which produces meals for over 1,200 patients and 200 staff per day throughout East Sussex. The Unit has a team of 5 chefs who oversee production of meals for the Conquest Hospital, Eastbourne District General Hospital, Lewes Victoria Hospital, Bexhill Hospital and Newhaven rehabilitation unit.
If you would like a paper copy of any of these reports sent to you please email:
healthscrutiny@eastsussex.gov.uk
Or contact Claire Lee, Scrutiny Lead Officer on telephone 01273 481327