RCN calls for improvements to nutritional care

Published: 19 January 2009

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today backed calls to improve nutritional care in all settings. The renewed call echoes the recommendations of a new report – Improving Nutritional Care and Treatment: Perspectives and Recommendations from Population Groups, Patients and Carers.

Responding to the report recommendations, Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said:

“The delivery of quality nutritional care is a fundamental of good healthcare. We call for children and adults in all settings to be screened and monitored for malnutrition as recommended in the report. In order to achieve this, it is crucial that all the appropriate screening tools, equipment and training is provided for all health and social care workers.

 “The RCN is committed to improving nutritional care and is currently running the Nutrition Now! campaign to help nurses and other healthcare workers to provide their patients with good nutritional care. A range of resources including information leaflets and a CD to facilitate educational workshops are available.”
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Notes for Editors

For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media

Further information about the RCN’s Nutrition Now campaign can be found at http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/campaigns/nutritionnow

Improving Nutritional Care and Treatment: Perspectives and Recommendations from Population Groups, Patients and Carers was published by BAPEN on 20th January 2009

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.