9th Jul 2008 - 00:00
Abstract
Nutrition champions have been appointed across Scotland to promote a nutritional standards programme.
A massive £1.08 million has been made available to allow boards to appoint the champions.
These champions will be NHS employees from a variety of clinical and managerial backgrounds and will be appointed for two years to support the scheme.
They will support the programme, called 'Food, Fluid and Nutrition' which will be launching at Wishaw General Hospital, to ensure that all patients receive the best nutritional care whilst in hospital.
The programme includes information on standards for nutrient and food provision, on improving nutritional care, supporting staff through practice development and education, and will entail a monitoring tool which will initially be tested in NHS Forth Valley, Highland and Grampian.
Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon commented on the initiative: "We are also providing help and support for staff to implement the programme by providing funding for boards to appoint nutrition champions.
"I believe these nutrition standards will make a real difference to patients' experience of hospitals and will, ultimately, make a significant contribution to the quality of care in our hospitals."