Jaclyn Cliff, Senior Gastroenterology and Critical Care Dietitian for Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, explains the role of dietitians and what is done to ensure patients eat well at Leighton Hospital.
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Research has shown that nutrition plays a key role in the health and recovery of our patients.
Every patient who is admitted to Leighton hospital is screened within 24 hours of admission to assess their nutritional levels. Patients are also weighed and their body mass index (BMI) is calculated. It is assessed if they have a poor appetite or a reduced dietary intake. Their medical state is assessed to determine whether they might have additional nutritional requirements.
Based on a specific scale, patients scoring two or more automatically get referred to a dietitian, who aims to see the patient within 24 to 48 hours. Patients scoring less than two on the scale are assigned a care plan that involves recording weekly weights, keeping daily food record charts and offering ward-based snacks and drinks on a daily basis.
Dietitians work very closely alongside the catering department. All meals are prepared and made on site at Leighton Hospital. Ingredients and products are freshly sourced. There is always a variety of meals to choose from, including two or three-course options, a hot and cold food choice, and a meal size to suit the patient's appetite.
Patients who require specialist diets are considered. Low fat, gluten free, low fibre, high fibre, low potassium and diabetic menu choices are available, as well as food of different consistencies, such as liquid, pureed or soft. Dietitians have regular consultations with their patients, assessing their dietary intakes and preferences and tolerances. They use this information to liaise with the catering department, who can then provide special high-calorie and protein snacks or specific meals as requested.
One of the visual methods we use to ensure assistance is provided to patients is our Red Plates and Red Jugs system. This system highlights to other members of staff that a patient may need assistance with meals, extra encouragement to eat or possibly a longer time to finish their meal.
In addition, mealtime assistants have been trained to help out, providing feeding assistance to patients wherever possible. Depending upon circumstances, and working with ward managers, the dietitians may encourage patient's relatives to assist at meal times.
Dietitians have been involved in the development of protected mealtimes across all wards within Leighton Hospital. This allows the patient a period of time when they are able to eat their meals without unnecessary interruptions, providing a calmer environment. This is effective in enhancing a patient's dietary intake.
Patients are also encouraged to eat meals in the ward day-rooms, as these provide a familiar and more relaxed eating environment.
Alongside this, dietitians work with specialist staff nurses in the Alzheimer's and elderly care areas, and encourage lunch clubs. Focus is on stimulating a patient's memory, which can improve and encourage dietary intakes.
All of this is underpinned by Nutritional Champions on each ward, who work hard to ensure that staff adhere to the systems in place to encourage improved nutrition.
All the dietitians that work at Leighton Hospital are qualified health professionals registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC). It is the dietitian's role to assess, diagnose and treat problems related to diet and nutrition.
More about the programme: The Truth About Hospital Food
