Nutritional requirements for patients is essential

21st May 2008, 10:36am

Making sure that patients have access to good quality hospital food will be given a higher priority by health and social care trusts, announced Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey.

The Minister said this will be part of a new strategy being progressed by his department to improve hospital catering and nutritional care to make sure that all patients have access to a healthy diet.

Almost half of older people have malnutrition when they are admitted to hospital, therefore resulting in longer stays and more need for medication.

Speaking during the 60^th Anniversary of the Hospital Caterers Association, Northern Ireland Branch Seminar at Stormont, the Minister commented: "Providing appropriate nutrition in the hospital setting is particularly challenging task due to the diverse dietary needs of the population. In Northern Ireland, Trusts spend around £39illion every year on hospital catering, which may seem like a large amount but relates to an average of just £5 per day for feeding one patient."

Also speaking at the seminar, Chief Nursing Officer, Martin Bradley, explained: "Good appetising food, presented well is an essential to good care as the medicines patients are prescribed, and the treatment they receive. Simply put, meeting patients' nutritional requirements will help them return to health more quickly and prevent a whole range of complications which can delay recovery."

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