MEDIA INFORMATION from
BAPEN the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
Registered Charity No.1023927
Issued 2 July 2002
FOOD AND NUTRITION AS TREATMENT MUST TOP THE AGENDA IN HOSPITALS says BAPEN as Royal College of Physicians launches its Report on Nutrition and Patients today(1)
"Food is a powerful medicine which NHS Trusts ignore at their peril," says Dr Alastair Forbes, Chairman of BAPEN(2)(3). "Food intake influences the health and well-being of populations; its appropriate use as treatment saves lives, reduces complications, promotes recovery and reduces length of stay in hospital."
"BAPEN welcomes unreservedly the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) report launched today," continues Dr Forbes, "a highly significant initiative that must help push nutrition and nutritional treatment higher up the agenda within NHS trusts, and throughout all the professions responsible for patient care in the hospital setting."
"The Report calls for the establishment of multi professional nutrition teams in all hospitals to raise awareness of the significance of nutrition as treatment, and to embed nutrition and nutritional therapy into day-to-day practice."
"BAPEN believes this is the most important recommendation in the Report. Currently only 41% of hospitals in the UK have a nutrition team, which means that most patients are still denied access to these key professionals. Nutrition teams work to establish clear protocols and help maintain standards, and there is clear evidence that patient outcomes are improved where these teams exist."
"Additionally, BAPEN welcomes two further calls to action embodied in the Report.
Firstly, we welcome the call for training on nutrition and nutritional treatment for health professionals, both in hospitals and in the community.
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Secondly, BAPEN has long been committed to the principle, emphasised in the Report, of the need for nutritional screening on entry into hospital to assess those at greatest risk from under- or over-nutrition."
"BAPEN's challenge is to work closely with the RCP and other relevant professional organisations to turn the vision so powerfully presented in Nutrition and Patients - a doctor's responsibility into reality."
Notes:
1. Nutrition and Patients - a doctor's responsibility, Royal College of Physicians, London 2002. Launched on 9th July 2002 at the RCP. Contact Linda Cuthbertson at the RCP on 020 7935 1174 x 254 for further information on the Report.
2. BAPEN the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition is a multi professional association and registered charity committed to improving clinical practice with regard to nutrition and nutritional treatment and to improving outcomes for patients. Through its multi professional membership - physicians, gastroenterologists, researchers, patients, nurses, nutritionists and dietitians - it encourages wide ranging dialogue, exchange and interaction. BAPEN offers members a newsletter, website, regional activities, national meetings and a website. Log on to www.bapen.org.uk for more information.
3. Dr Alastair Forbes, recently elected as Chairman of BAPEN, is Consultant Physician and Reader in Gastroenterology at St Mark's Hospital, Harrow.
For further information, please contact:
Rhonda Smith - e-mail at rsmith@gciuk.com or
Nicky Parnell 020-7072 4171. e-mail at nparnell@gciuk.com.
Out of hours alternative number 01264-710428.
Dr Alastair Forbes, BAPEN representatives who were part of the RCP Working Party on the Report and BAPEN regional representatives around the country are available for interview. Call Rhonda Smith as above to make arrangements.