BAPEN News
BAPEN Membership Reaches Record High
BAPEN has achieved a record-breaking milestone in membership, with a 16% increase in members over the past three months. This growth highlights increasing engagement and enthusiasm within the BAPEN community.
The increase reflects progress against objectives set in BAPEN’s 2022 – 2027 strategy, which outlined ambitious plans for growth in membership, in line with BAPEN’s strategic priorities – knowledge, reach and sustainability. BAPEN is committed to listening to and working with members, strengthening collaboration, and clearly communicating the benefits of membership.
This summer, BAPEN launched a new membership option for Practitioners in Psychological Medicine, strengthening its commitment to holistic, patient-centred care and fostering collaboration across disciplines.
BAPEN also introduced free student membership, reinforcing its dedication to engaging the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Additionally, BAPEN offers free membership to members of the Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Group (PENG), the National Nurses Nutrition Group (NNNG), the British Pharmaceutical Nutrition Group (BPNG), and the British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (BSPGHAN).
Dr Roger Phillips, Co-Chair of Trustees at BAPEN, said: “We’re delighted to see that our efforts to actively engage members and showcase the value of membership is resonating with members. A larger membership means a greater voice, stronger influence across the field of clinical nutrition, and more opportunities to drive meaningful change.
“We’re now looking forward to our Conference in November where we will come together with our membership, learn from one another, share best practice, and continue to listen to live feedback. If you have any suggestions for what could be offered as part of BAPEN membership, please contact the BAPEN office.”
BAPEN members enjoy several benefits including access to a wide range of online resources and educational content, access to local and national events, forums and meetings, support from the BAPEN Mentoring Programme, free and discounted journal subscriptions, and discounted rates for BAPEN’s Annual Conference and ESPEN.
To find out more about the benefits of membership and to become part of BAPEN’s growing, impactful community, visit: www.bapen.org.uk/get-involved/membership-benefits/.
SURVEY: Ongoing Insights into the Adult Home Enteral Feeding (HEF) Population across the UK
Why: In the Northeast of England, we as neighbouring trusts have noticed changes within our adult patient population with specific regard to the age range of new referrals, Primary Diagnoses and feeding tube types/routes of feeding.
In 2024, the Gateshead HEF Team completed and presented the BAPEN and MAG supported National HEF Population Survey at the BAPEN conference in Gateshead.
We are keen to continue to build on this project and explore the demographics of our adult patient caseload, their underlying diagnosis and find any trends in the feeding routes being used in this this client group alongside the use of blended diets in the adult population.
This year three Northeast HEF teams have collaborated to enhance survey participation to allow a clearer view of trends.
Building on the framework from last year we hope to increase the number of HEF departments surveyed and therefore provide information on a larger number of HEF service users (2024 survey; 5341 HEF patients included).
We hope to show trends in the Adult HETF caseload and determine how best to meet the Dietetic needs of a changing population. The survey will also allow us to observe new practice in HEF including blended diet use in adults.
As such we need your help to complete this year’s survey.
Who: Healthcare professionals involved with supporting adult Home Enteral Feeding (HEF) clients across the UK. We really need that person(s) to have access to information to be able to estimate caseload numbers and patient types.
When: The survey launched on 4 August 2025 in line with PINNT’s Home Artificial Nutrition Awareness (HAN) Week and will remain open until 31 October 2025. Your data will be anonymised and presented by geographical region. Data will be presented in publications and reports, presentations, on BAPEN and PENG websites and through social media.
Incentives: Completing the survey will also give you the opportunity to win a £25 Amazon Gift Voucher!
Please scan the QR code, or click here to take part.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact:
Lesley Freeman: lesley.freeman8@nhs.net
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, Gateshead, United Kingdom
Helen Harrison: helen.harrison4@nhs.net
Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
BAPEN Position Statement
Malnutrition: Balancing Disease-Related and Psychosocial Aspects of Nutritional Care
By EL Parsons, E Walters and N Thompson on behalf of BAPEN
At BAPEN, our aim is to improve the identification and treatment of disease-related malnutrition across health and social care settings in the UK.
Malnutrition remains a significant public health concern in the UK, with over 3 million people in the UK, mostly in the community, estimated to be malnourished or at risk of malnutrition.1 It is complex, influenced not only by clinical conditions but also by psychological, social and environmental factors. Healthcare costs relating to malnutrition are in excess of £20 billion per year;2 it is associated with increased hospital admissions, longer stays and delayed recovery. Children, older adults, individuals with long-term conditions, and those recently discharged from hospital are particularly vulnerable.
The development of malnutrition is closely linked to socioeconomic deprivation. According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, individuals living in the most deprived areas of England experience significantly worse health outcomes, including higher rates of disability and poorer self-reported health.3 Financial pressures can limit access to nutritious food, heating and healthcare, all representing factors that are important in maintaining good nutritional status.3
While BAPEN’s primary focus remains on disease-related malnutrition, where clinical conditions directly impact nutritional status, we acknowledge that social isolation, poverty, mental health challenges, and other psychosocial factors can significantly impact nutritional status and outcomes. Our position aligns with the NHS 10-year Health Plan,4 which emphasises the importance of integrated care systems and prevention-focused approaches to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities.
Addressing malnutrition through early detection, evidence-based interventions, and collaboration across healthcare providers supports the vision for a sustainable and patient-centred healthcare system. We encourage healthcare professionals to adopt a holistic approach to the management of disease related malnutrition and recommend the following:
Screen for malnutrition risk:
- Use validated nutrition screening tools like ‘MUST’ to identify those at risk, and repeat assessments according to national and local guidelines.
Assessment:
- Explore psychosocial and physiological factors: Ask about appetite, mood, isolation, financial constraints and access to food, in addition to assessing clinical conditions and anthropometry.
Care planning:
- Collaboration across disciplines: Work with dietitians, social workers, mental health professionals and community support services to develop integrated care plans.
Tailor interventions:
- Consider not just the medical condition, but also the person’s living situation, support network and preferences when planning nutritional care.
Educate and empower:
- Provide patients and carers with practical advice and resources to support nutritional wellbeing at home.
Monitoring and review:
- Ensure continuity of care across settings, especially during transitions such as hospital discharge.
BAPEN continues to lead in clinical education, research, and policy development focused on disease-related malnutrition, while supporting collaborative approaches that integrate social care, mental health and community support into nutritional care pathways. We aim to ensure that all individuals receive the care they need to achieve the best possible nutritional outcomes.
References: 1. Russell CA, Elia M. (2010). Malnutrition in the UK: where does it begin? Proc Nutr Soc.; 69(4): 465-9. 2. Elia M. The cost of malnutrition in England and potential cost savings from nutritional interventions. BAPEN, REDDITCH. 2015. 3. Office for National Statistics. Health Inequalities [Available from: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthinequalities. 4. Fit for the Future: 10 year health plan for England 2025 [Available from: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-term-plan/.Release Date: 08.09.2025
Think Health, Think Pharmacist – Celebrating Pharmacy’s Vital Role in Nutritional Care
This World Pharmacy Week (19-25 September 2025), BAPEN was proud to spotlight the essential role that pharmacists and the wider pharmacy team play in delivering nutritional care across healthcare settings and within the community.
Organised by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), this year’s theme, ‘Think Health, Think Pharmacist’, is a timely reminder of the breadth and depth of pharmacy’s contribution to health, wellbeing and nutritional care.
At BAPEN, we see this as an opportunity to celebrate the entire pharmacy workforce. From the familiar faces in community pharmacies who notice when a regular may be losing weight, to general practice teams identifying medications that affect nutritional status. From pharmacists, technicians and pharmaceutical scientists preparing parenteral nutrition, to Pharmacy Quality Assurance teams ensuring strict manufacturing standards are met. In hospitals, multidisciplinary teams manage complex cases, while procurement and supply chain professionals work behind the scenes to ensure vital products are available.
Find out more: www.bapen.org.uk/other-news/think-health-think-pharmacist-celebrating-pharmacys-vital-role-in-nutritional-care/
ESPEN Membership
BAPEN members are entitled to block membership of ESPEN! ESPEN membership runs from 1 January to 31 December, and can be applied for via the online form.
The Block membership subscription fees for 2025 are as follows (available to BAPEN members only – join BAPEN):
- Regular membership: £78.00 per member
- Junior membership: £35.00 per member
This category applies for those under the age of 35 (born in 1986 or after) - Senior membership: £35.00 per member
This category applies to members over the age of 65 (born in 1956 or before).
Please note that we have to submit all membership through to ESPEN before the end of January – therefore, we cannot guarantee that forms received after this time will be accepted.
To find out more click here.
Save the Date! Edgbaston 2026 will be 18–20 May 2026
BAPEN Edgbaston Course for Clinical Nutrition Team Development
Venue: Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre
The course is free to attend. The only cost is accommodation
Teams of 4-6 members, expected to include a dietitian, nutrition nurse specialist and a physician.
Return to top