One of the achievements of the Nutritional Care Strategy is the Pan Dorset Malnutrition Programme.
Malnutrition is preventable through early intervention and The Malnutrition Programme is a fantastic example of joint working across the health and social care partners (Dorset Health Care, Dorset Council, BCP Council, Tricuro and the CCG.) The Malnutrition Programme, overview, objectives and outcomes
Due to the high levels of malnutrition within the community The Malnutrition Programme was developed for all those patients who live at home (not Care Homes or Hospitals). It consists of all front line staff screening for malnutrition, inputting the data into a 'MUST’ / Nutritional Screening Electronic Form and following agreed care pathways. These pathways Care Pathways ensure the sharing of data and if completed correctly no patient/client can slip through the net and not cared for appropriately. Guidance notes for completing the ‘MUST’ / Nutritional Screening Electronic Form
Any user of the electronic form can also create new users, amend incorrect forms and run reports. Guidance notes for Administration of the ‘MUST’ / Nutritional Screening Electronic Form
The Health and Social Care Co-ordinators role is essential to the Pan Dorset Malnutrition Programme enabling the care pathways to be followed at all times.
Poor nutrition and hydration at home as well as in care homes and hospitals has been frequently highlighted in recent years.
Statistics show that, in general, malnutrition affects 23% of people under 65 and 32% of people over 65. It's more likely to affect older women than older men. In the UK, 3 million people are malnourished or at risk of malnourishment; 93% of these live at home.
One in three people admitted to hospital have been found to be suffering from malnourishment and every ten minutes, someone in the UK dies with malnourishment in hospital.
Nationally, 37% of those admitted to care homes, and 45% of those admitted to nursing homes, have been found to suffer from malnutrition.
Malnutrition costs the UK £13 billion per annum and will lead to 2.1 more GP visits and 3 times more hospital admissions.
In Dorset, the County Hospital Dietetic Department has estimated that, amongst those Dorset residents over 65, there is the following incidence of malnutrition:
Incidences of malnutrition in Dorset residents aged 65 and over
Dorset residents aged over 65 |
Percentage of malnutrition |
General population |
14% |
Sheltered housing |
12% |
Receiving care at home |
25% |
Care home residents |
32% to 42% of residents on arrival |
The Malnutrition Task Force is an independent group of experts across health, social care and local government, established in 2012. The aim of the Task Force is to reduce malnutrition in older people and so improve their health and quality of life as well as reducing unnecessary public expenditure.