Nutrition plan 'marks a start'

Launched by the Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis, it is designed to help professionals involved in nutrition for elderly people who produce and deliver all of the food that care home residents are likely to eat for the rest of their lives. NACC chairman Sue Ullmann says: "This action plan is the beginning of how we can support staff and succeed in reducing the risks of malnutrition and improving the whole meal experience. "Tackling nutrition must be a team effort. Good nutrition is vital to the delivery of person centred care. "The NACC firmly believes that there is a willingness to support the Action Plan and we believe that working together it will make a difference to the lives and dignity of the older people of our communities." She added that there was very little training and funding for staff who provide and deliver meals to older people within the different care settings. "So we're not sitting back waiting for the next step from the Department of Health (DoH). We have developed documents to assist staff with the delivery of the service including a Menu Planning and Special Diets Documen. "And the NACC is already working with other stakeholders such as BAPEN, FSA and Home Services on the training issues. "It is now even more important that the NACC continues with this work and that we look at the development of mandatory training for all those professionals involved in the care catering sector including front line managers." She said the NACC was delighted that Gordon Lishman, the director general of Age Concern, had agreed to oversee the delivery of the Action Plan. "We would welcome the opportunity to be part of the governance group, and look forward to working with Gordon on how we are going to sustain, and ensure that the nutritional needs of older people within hospitals and care homes are better met."