Issue - items at meetings - Healthcare for Older People

Report of the Brighton & Hove LINk on patient nutrition at the Royal Sussex County Hospital (copy attached).

Please note: the BHLINk report was commissioned by East Sussex HOSC as part of a major review of nutrition in hospitals used by East Sussex patients. The full East Sussex HOSC report on Nutrition, Hydration and Feeding in Hospitals can be found on the East Sussex County Council website:

http://www.eastsussexhealth.org/news/NutritionFeeding.html

Officers from Brighton & Sussex University Hospital Trust will also be attending the meeting to talk to members about how older people are championed at the Royal Sussex County Hospital and to answer questions about older people’s care and nutrition for older people in hospital.

25.1    This item commenced with a presentation on the Brighton & Hove Local Involvement Network (LINk) report on feeding and hydration at the Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH). This was introduced by Mr Mick Lister, BHLINk Steering Group member, and Ms Claire Stevens, BHLINk Manager. Ms Joy Churcher, Head of Dietetics at Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals Trust: BSUHT) and Ms Claire Martin, BSUHT Senior Nurse, Practice Development and Clinical Education, were also present to answer questions.

25.2    In response to a question from Cllr Allen on the opportunity offered to patients to wash their hands before meals, Ms Stevens told members that this was identified as a problem and was being actively addressed by BSUHT.

25.3    In answer to questions about hospital menus, members were told that RSCH menus were being re-designed to include photographs of the food on offer. In addition, menus can be translated for non-native speakers, and appropriate menus are available for people with visual impairments. Menus also provide details on the availability of a ‘snack’ option for patients, and staff are being trained so as to improve their awareness of the entire range of food options open to patients (e.g. that hot food must be available on request 24 hours a day).

25.4    In response to a question by Cllr Marsh on hydration, Ms Martin told members that RSCH operated a ‘red jug’ scheme for patients at risk of dehydration.

25.5    Ms Churcher and Ms Martin then briefed the committee on recent developments in care for older people and general nutrition and hydration issues. Members were told that there had been recent staff training with regard to hospital nutrition, to patient hydration and to malnutrition screening (including paediatric malnutrition training for Royal Alex staff). In addition, the RSCH has appointed ‘older people’s champions’ to be advocates for older people’s issues across the hospital.

25.7    In response to a question from Cllr Harmer-Strange on feeding arrangements for people with autistic spectrum conditions, Ms Martin told the committee that this was an important issue, which had historically not been fully addressed. However, the trust was committed to improving its services, and to this end was working with RSCH specialist learning disability nurses seconded to the trust from Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

25.7    the Chairman thanked the LINk and Ms Churcher and Martin for their contributions.