Patients Association report investigating malnutrition confirms lack of awareness of monitoring, treating and preventing this condition. Sep 2011
The UK’s Patients Association have launched a new report ‘Malnutrition in the community and hospital setting’ which shows a lack of awareness of malnutrition, particularly how to prevent and treat it and where to seek advice. Over 3 million people in the UK are either malnourished or at risk of being so costing an estimated £13 billion to the NHS.
The Patients Association Report, based on a YouGov Survey of 5018 respondents, showed only 43% were aware that malnutrition can delay recovery from illness and only 7% associated a healthy weight with good nutrition. The results show a low awareness of the issue and highlight concerns that screening for malnutrition, including simple weight assessments, is not common. Indeed, 69% of respondents did not recall being screened for malnutrition on admission to hospitals and only a fifth of carers carry out formal screening checks including weight monitoring, despite the fact that the NICE guidelines state that screening for malnutrition should be a priority for all patients.
To support these concerns, The Patients Assocation have launched a new patient leaflet entitled ‘Malnutrition – how to spot the signs and symptoms and how to help yourself’. They are also campaigning for regular weight monitoring and screening for malnutrition by healthcare professionals to encourage a greater recognition of malnutrition and its treatment.
BSNA echo the concerns raised in the Patients Association report and additionally support the work that the BAPEN Malnutrition Advisory Group (MAG) undertake to promote nutrition screening to identify those who are suffering from, or who are at risk of, malnutrition. BAPEN have developed the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), which can be used to identify malnutrition in adults.
Further information on this Patients Association research can be accessed here.
Additionally the new Patients Association leaflet can be downloaded here.
BAPEN's MUST Toolkit can be accessed here.