BAPEN News

BAPEN Scotland Meeting Report – Promoting Excellence in Nutritional Care

Dr Janet Baxter, Chair of BAPEN Scotland

Our annual clinical meeting was held on 4th July 2017 at the Stirling Court Hotel, which sits in the beautiful campus of Stirling University. My first task as new Chair, apart from welcoming our biggest ever audience, was to thank our outgoing Chair. Alastair McKinlay led BAPEN Scotland since its inception and championed its cause at every opportunity, making sure we were represented at the National Nutritional Care Advisory Board (NNCAB). In his role as Chair of NNCAB, we were invited to develop the Complex Nutritional Care Standards (Healthcare Improvement Scotland, 2015).

The first speaker was Amanda Croft (Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions, NHS Grampian). Amanda’s talk reminded us of the important place standards have in ensuring all patients’ right to good clinical care and treatment. Taking the ‘One for Scotland’ approach, a short life working group has been established to look at Oral Nutritional Support (ONS) prescribing. Lynsey Robinson as the Lead Dietitian for the project described progress so far, looking at prescribing costs, pathways and formularies across the country. I presented on our NHS Tayside Realistic Medicine transformational approach to the provision of ONS. Improving nutritional care in our hospitals is something we are all striving to do – Elizabeth Waterhouse and Denise Deas have been working on this in Glasgow and provided some very practical examples of how this can be done.

The early afternoon presentations focussed on the management of patients with functional gut. Dr Maria Eugenicos, Consultant Gastroenterologist in Edinburgh, demonstrated her wealth of experience in managing the complexities of these diagnoses. Margy Thomson, Specialist Dietitian, NHS Fife, followed, illustrating the challenges with excellent case studies. Duff Bruce, Consultant Surgeon, described the indications and patient selection for gastric pacing.

As many of you know, the impact on nutrition teams managing these patients can be significant and Richard Benjamin from Occupational Health Team in Glasgow was invited to help us develop resilience! He gave practical pointers to making sure we maintain our physical and mental wellbeing!!

The Complex Nutritional Care standards mentioned above have been implemented in some areas better than others! Glasgow is doing well, which was reflected in Dawn Jordan’s talk (Nutrition Nurse Specialist) giving encouragement to others. Although formal evaluation wasn’t captured, judging by verbal feedback and the buzz in the rooms it was a very successful meeting. Corporate partners contributed to its success and so thanks to them.

All presentations appear on the BAPEN website.