Report sparks fears as elderly are left hungry in hospitals
Elderly people across the Westcountry are being left to go hungry on NHS wards, a report has revealed.
A third (31 per cent) of nurses in the South West are not confident that it would be noticed if a relative of theirs was malnourished when entering hospital, according to findings released as part of Age UK's Still Hungry to be Heard campaign. The results spark fresh fears that older people are still being left to go hungry in hospital.
Those who enter hospital malnourished can get worse during their stay or become malnourished under the care of NHS staff.
The report from the charity Age UK found almost one in three nurses believe their own relative could enter hospital with nobody noticing they were malnourished.
The study – Still Hungry To Be Heard – builds on previous research which showed some elderly people receive no assistance with meals despite struggling to eat.
Those who have difficulty swallowing are sometimes put at risk of choking by not being given pureed food, while others have their food trays placed out of reach at the end of beds or on tray tables that are too high.
The charity has also heard of elderly people receiving no help with cutting food into smaller pieces or opening lids on containers. Food trays are also sometimes taken away untouched without any questions, according to the charity. A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "All patients should be individually assessed when admitted to hospital and they should be provided with nutritious, properly prepared food at times that are appropriate to their individual needs."
4 Comments
by max power, st austell
Monday, August 30 2010, 11:21PM
“It's the squeaky wheels that gets the grease and God save us all from getting old or incapacitated or wrongly or heavily medicated and have no one around to be a squeaky wheel in our place.
The NHS can perform state of the art miracles, cater for our foibles, vanity and overindulgences but thousands have died because of dire hygiene, or suffered malnutrition or pneumonia because basic nursing is failing.
It's a reflection on our ''civilisation'' that we're all too busy with more important matters than caring for the ones that cared for us.”
by max power, st austell
Monday, August 30 2010, 7:30PM
“Oops! the commenting facility is removed from the J Watkinson story!
Smears and allegations aren't nice as John Watkinson would probably testify.”
by Allan, Brasil
Monday, August 30 2010, 4:27PM
“No surprise to see that the good people of the U.k.suffering yet again at the hands of the puppet government.
I have lots of respect for Medical staff but I was disgusted to witness a dog being led into Liskeard Hospital a few months ago.
This was done after i saw a member of staff on her hands and knees cleaning under a bed.
I objected, no flowers allowed but dogs are . What next the ill farmers cow ?”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Monday, August 30 2010, 2:21PM
“:| The elderly! . . It's not only the elderly! . My wife was starving with the rubbish and minute portion they gave her to eat when our first was born over 40 years ago. . I had to take her in chocolate sponge cake and chocolate digestive biscuits to sustain her. . She wouldn't go back in there for the others. . With the elderly, if the poor dears can't feed themselves properly they just clear the food away and let them starve. . They seem far more concerned with having 6 weeks holiday and maternity leave now, than making sure their charges are properly fed and cared for. . . Increasing the level of intellectual ability for student nurses had as many pitfalls as advantages in my opinion. . The more practically able people are now completely disadvantaged, and have been put off from trying to qualify. . Many of the 'cleverer' people just don't seem to want to do the very basic, but very necessary caring. .
Editor; this particular comment was NOT given just to be controversial and provoke a response, as I confess mine occasionally are, as you well know.”