BAPEN is delighted to be joining forces with the Malnutrition Task Force (MTF) once again to run UK Malnutrition Awareness Week (UKMAW) 2026, which will take place between 16th – 22nd November 2026.
UKMAW aims to increase understanding of the dangers, risk factors, UKMAW aims to increase understanding of the dangers, risk factors, and signs of malnutrition and dehydration among health and social care professionals, community groups, the public, parliamentarians, and policymakers.
Every Contact Counts
UKMAW2026 calls on all healthcare professionals to recognise that every interaction is an opportunity to spot the signs early and take action.
Whether you’re a nurse, GP, pharmacist, dietitian, social worker, or care home staff member, your role is vital. From mealtimes to medication reviews, outpatient clinics to home visits – every contact counts.
“As healthcare professionals, we see first-hand the profound impact that malnutrition has on patients, families, and the NHS. Evidence shows that malnutrition is not only a major contributor to poor health outcomes – exacerbating comorbidities and prolonging recovery – but also places a significant and avoidable burden on our health and care system. Treating a patient who is malnourished costs the NHS two to three times more than treating someone who is well-nourished. Hospital admissions are longer, complications are more frequent, and the risk of readmission rises. Yet, malnutrition is often preventable with timely identification and intervention.
This is why, during UKMAW, I urge all healthcare professionals to make nutrition a core part of their practice. By routinely screening for malnutrition, acting on the signs, and advocating for robust nutritional care pathways, we can not only improve patient outcomes but also help safeguard the sustainability of our health service. Now, more than ever, we should work together across disciplines and settings to reduce the impact and cost of malnutrition in the UK.”
Dr Nick Thompson, BAPEN President
UKMAW2026: The focus of the week
Malnutrition Screening Monday
- Information shared around what is malnutrition, risk factors and prevalence.
#ChallengesTuesday & Solutions
- An interactive day for people to contribute to the campaign, sharing challenges they face in delivering good nutritional care and sharing examples of best practice/solutions.
Inclusive Nutrition Support Wednesday
- Information shared on the importance of inclusive nutrition support, recognising that good nutritional care must be accessible, culturally appropriate, person-centred and responsive to individual needs, preferences and circumstances across all care settings.
Thirsty Thursday
- Nutrition and hydration are linked, but hydration is often deprioritised. We will share information about the importance of hydration, best practice for improving intake of fluids, and how to address challenges such as dysphagia.
Every Contact Counts Friday
- Every hospital, community, or care setting interaction is an opportunity to identify risks from each and every person who interacts with someone – pharmacists, district nurses, AHPs, GPs, social care, dentists, doctors, and so on.
- Multidisciplinary healthcare teams are encouraged to systematically screen for malnutrition and raise awareness of risk factors.
Weekend: Nutrition Superheroes
- Nominate your #NutritionSuperhero by using the hashtag and sharing someone who goes above and beyond to support the delivery of good nutritional care.
Ask, Look, Listen
The campaign focus – Ask, Look, Listen – recognises that malnutrition is everyone’s business. It is easier to manage malnutrition or dehydration when it is spotted earlier, so we want everybody in health and care multidisciplinary teams to spread the importance of keeping nutritional care at the forefront of minds, and for people in the community to look out for family members, friends, neighbours, and colleagues.
So, what does ‘Ask, Look and Listen’ mean in practice?
Ask – If you know somebody who may be vulnerable because they have health problems, because they are older or perhaps because they are isolated, don’t be afraid to ask them if they are eating and drinking okay. Don’t be afraid to ask about somebody’s appetite or ability to prepare food and drink, it could make all the difference and help you stop malnutrition in its tracks.
Look – Always be on the lookout for tell-tale signs of unplanned weight loss such as looser clothing, loose belts or rings or dentures. And remember you won’t always see weight loss so keep your eyes open for other signs like empty fridges and cupboards, local shops that have closed, or reluctance to travel or leave home.
Listen – Listen carefully to what somebody is telling you about their life. It may not be about eating and drinking directly, but is it about feeling tired, feeling worried because they are unwell, feeling lonely, or losing interest in things that usually give them enjoyment? Practice active listening and think about how the way somebody is feeling generally may affect how they are able to look after themselves.
Please contact bapen@mandfhealth.com for any further information required. By working together, we can improve understanding, identification, prevention, and management of these conditions.
More downloadable resources, campaign materials and opportunities to get involved will be added in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for new ways to support #UKMAW2026.
2025 Highlights
UKMAW was co-founded in 2018, by the Malnutrition Task Force (MTF) and the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN) to raise awareness and understanding of the risks of malnutrition across different sectors and settings, in local communities and with the general public and health and social care professionals. We are delighted that the campaign continues to go from strength-to-strength since its launch in 2018.
