RCN hosts patient food summit

Thursday 31 January 2008

The Royal College of Nursing is today holding a summit on patient food as part of its campaign to improve standards of nutrition and hydration in hospitals and the community.

Around 70 Directors of Nursing and senior nurses from across England are expected to attend the high-profile event, which the RCN hopes will develop practical and long-lasting solutions to the problems that some patients experience during care.

Research carried out by the RCN early last year found 42 per cent of nurses do not have enough time to ensure patients receive high quality nutritional care. The results also showed 46 per cent of nurses believe there are not enough staff to help patients eat and drink.

Speakers at the event will include Janice Sigsworth, the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer of England, and representatives of the Healthcare Commission, the National Patient Safety Agency, and the Hospital Caterers Association.

Debbie Dzik-Jurasz, who is leading the RCN's Nutrition Now campaign, says:
"We know from speaking to nursing staff that there are a number of issues that prevent them from delivering the level of nutritional care that patients deserve: issues such as time, staffing levels and availability of food.

"Today's summit is an opportunity for England's nursing community to come together in a spirit of partnership to develop practical, simple and sustainable solutions to the problems that exist.

"We will be drawing on the experience and the expertise of the Directors of Nursing attending the event, and the wisdom of our colleagues from other organisations who we know are as committed to this issue as the RCN."

The RCN launched its Nutrition Now campaign in April 2007.