As reported in the news, Lord Darzi is currently undertaking an independent review into the performance of the health and care services, ahead of publishing a 10-point plan.

BAPEN is pleased to have submitted a consultation response to inform the Darzi Review, following requests for analytical evidence.

BAPEN’s response presented data on:

• The exacerbated comorbidities and health complications associated with malnutrition, leading to increasing admissions, longer lengths of hospital stay, and reduced productivity
• Lack of screening for malnutrition
• The NHS and economic cost associated with malnutrition in England
• Evidence for nutritional intervention
• Effectiveness of nutrition support

We outlined that malnutrition-related presentations take up valuable healthcare professional time and prolong stays in hospital beds, reducing productivity and contributing to an estimated £22.6 billion NHS cost per year. The submission concluded that, for the NHS to be a system fit for the future, we must prioritise combatting malnutrition, embedding nutritional screening and nutritional care delivery. The full BAPEN submission can be viewed here.