Poor nutrition 'harming patients'

The number of errors relating to poor nutrition in NHS hospitals has almost doubled in two years, figures obtained by the Tories show.

The number of incidents rose 88% between 2005 and 2007, from 15,473 to 29,138 across England.

Such errors are reported by NHS staff to the National Patient Safety Agency and relate to incidents "which could have or did lead to harm for one or more patients receiving NHS care".

The figures showed big regional variations, with a 248% rise in the North East Strategic Health Authority (SHA) and a 178% jump in the West Midlands SHA. The rise was lower at 46% in the North West SHA and 63% in the Yorkshire and the Humber SHA.

A poll last year from the Royal College of Nursing found that patients are at risk of malnutrition because there are not enough nurses to make sure they are properly fed.

Almost half (46%) of nurses said there were not enough staff to help patients who may need help with eating and drinking. A similar number (42%) said they do not have enough time to make sure patients ate properly.

A report in 2006 from the charity Age Concern revealed that 60% of older patients - who occupy two thirds of general hospital beds - are at risk of becoming malnourished or seeing their health get worse. Those aged over 80 are particularly at risk, having a five-times higher rate than the under-50s.

The figures were released in a parliamentary answer to the Conservatives by health minister Ann Keen.

Shadow health minister Stephen O'Brien said: "This is a further disgraceful statistic from a Government which has failed patients and the public.

"People go to hospital expecting to get better, yet in 2007, 29,000 people suffered unnecessary and completely avoidable harm from poor nutritional care."

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