Backgrounder 1
MEDIA INFORMATION from
BAPEN the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
Registered Charity No.1023927
Issued Tuesday, 11 November 2003
BACKGROUNDER 1: INTRODUCTION TO BAPEN, MAG AND THE 'MUST'
BAPEN
BAPEN - The British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition is a multi-professional association and charity established in 1992. Its membership is drawn from doctors, dietitians, nurses, patients, pharmacists and from the health policy, industry, public health and research sectors.
BAPEN's principal functions are to:
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Enhance understanding and management of malnutrition
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Establish a clinical governance framework to underpin the nutritional management of all patients
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Enhance knowledge and skills in clinical nutrition through education and training
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Communicate the benefits of clinical and cost-effective optimal nutritional care to all healthcare professionals, policy-makers and the public
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Fund a multi-professional research programme
MAG
MAG - the Malnutrition Advisory Group, led by Professor Marinos Elia, is a Standing Committee of BAPEN, committed to raising the profile of malnutrition among healthcare professionals, the government, the media and wider audiences.
MAG looks to ensure that appropriate priority and attention is given to nutritional care issues by practitioners and professionals across the healthcare spectrum.
MAG aims to produce definitive guidelines for the identification and management of malnutrition. MAG also works nationwide with key influential groups to promote standards of excellence in the treatment of this condition.
The 'MUST'
MAG has just launched the 'Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool' ('MUST') to aid the detection and treatment of malnutrition in adults in all care settings. Using the tool is the first step in identifying patients who are malnourished or potentially at risk of malnutrition, and who could benefit from appropriate nutritional intervention.
Nutritional screening is a rapid and simple procedure that should be undertaken by nursing, medical or other healthcare professional on first contact with a patient, so that clear guidelines for action can be implemented and appropriate nutritional advice provided. Some patients may simply need advice with eating, others may need to be referred for more expert treatment.
The 'MUST' has been field-tested and is supported by the British Dietetic Association, the Royal College of Nursing and the Registered Nursing Homes Association. NHS Quality Improvement Scotland considers 'MUST' appropriate for implementing their new standards on routine screening upon hospital admission. It is hoped that 'MUST' will become a nationally recognised tool implemented in all care settings by a wide range of health care professionals.
For further information, please contact Claire Davies on 020 7072 4269 or at cldavies@gciuk.com or Rhonda Smith at rsmith@gciuk.com, Siobhan Thwaites or Rachel Burgess via 020 7072 4100.