Malnutrition in UK hospitals

A hospital would be the last place you would expect to be at risk of malnutrition, but unfortunately, it's what's happening in the UK.

It has been dubbed a national scandal in the UK: six out of 10 older people risk malnutrition, or have their situation worsen while in hospital. Malnourished patients stay in hospital longer, are three times as likely to develop complications during surgery, and have a higher mortality rate than well-fed patients. And it’s not just aged people at risk of malnutrition in hospitals. The ‘nil by mouth’ policy while awaiting surgery can have a similar effect if the wait is prolonged. UK-based expert Helen Davidson will talk on ‘Malnutrition in hospitals – Lessons learned in the UK’ at the New Zealand Dietetic Association’s conference being held September 1 to 3 in Hamilton.

For more information, see NZ Dietetic Association.