New standards introduced to improve nutrition in hospitals

The standards have been developed by the Welsh Assembly Government following an expert report on enhancing the role of hospital ward sisters and improving the patient's experience in hospitals. The group said nutrition should be elevated to the same importance as medication. New resources – the All Wales Food Record chart and a revised Intake and Output fluid balance chart – are also being introduced to provide clear standards and guidance on nutrition in hospitals. This supports the work of nutritional risk screening, which involves monitoring food and fluid intake and output, protecting mealtimes to maximise the opportunity for nutritional intake and addressing the risk of malnutrition in vulnerable patients. The new tools for staff have been trialed in five NHS Trusts and will now be rolled out across Wales. During the visit, the Minister will see the new electronic audit tool for recording and monitoring standards of care on wards. The tool provides ward sisters and charge nurses with information to enable them to manage their wards. Mrs Hart said: "This is a key development in the on-going programme to improve the experience of patients in hospitals, meeting a One Wales commitment to improve hospital food and patient nutrition." The chief nursing officer for Wales, Rosemary Kennedy, added: "Good quality, nutritious food is important and helps to aid a patient's recovery. It is important especially for cardiac patients, as we can see here at Nevill Hall, as these patients have often got to get used to changing their lifestyle and diet to improve their long-term health and well-being."