One in four adults in hospital 'malnourished'
Extracts from the Telegraph:
"More than one in four adults admitted to hospitals, care homes or mental health units are suffering from malnutrition, the largest survey of its kind has found.
Women and the elderly were at greatest risk, says the report from the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (Bapen), which is published today.
More than 11,000 patients were screened for signs of being under-fed and 28 per cent were found to be malnourished."
"Patrick South, of Age Concern, said that food should be a high priority for hospital and care staff. "Not only do a significant amount of people arrive in hospital and care settings already malnourished, six out of 10 older people are at risk of becoming malnourished, or their situation getting worse in hospital.
"Malnutrition is still rife in the community, with up to 14 per cent of people aged 65 and over in the UK being malnourished."
Christine Russell, of Bapen, said that doctors, nurses and dietitians "must work to implement consistent nutritional screening policies to ensure that malnutrition is effectively addressed"."
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