§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what targets his Department has set for the reduction of under-nutrition; and what progress has been made to reach the targets; [12915]
(2) what strategies the Government have in place to (a) manage and (b) monitor under-nutrition in (i) hospital, (ii) residential care and (iii) the wider community; and if he will make a statement; [12916]
683W(3) what measures are being taken to screen patients for under-nutrition in (a) hospitals, (b) residential care and (c) the wider community; and if he will make a statement. [12917]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 6 November 2001]: In the NHS Plan, we made a commitment to reduce under-nutrition by developing a hospital nutrition policy to improve the outcome of care of patients by 2004. A number of measures and strategies are in place to manage, monitor and screen patients for under-nutrition in hospitals, residential care and the wider community. A full list of these initiatives has been placed in the Library.
We recognise that one of the most important factors in aiding hospital patients to gain improved health is through the provision of good quality nutritional food that the patient is able to eat and enjoy. Two reports published last year—from the Nuffield Trust and the British Association of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition—made recommendations for hospital nutrition services encompassing both hospital food and artificial nutrition.
We are introducing housekeepers on to ward teams to work with the ward sister. One of the key responsibilities of the housekeeper is to ensure that patients are given encouragement and assistance in not only choosing suitable meals and snacks but also with eating if required. From 14 November, a housekeeping guide will be able on
NHS trust Expenditure (£000) Per weighted head population (£) Avon Ambulance Service NHS Trust 14,522 15.40 Beds and Hens Ambulance and Paramedic NHS Trust 23,902 16.02 Cumbria Ambulance Service NHS Trust 9,753 19.82 Dorset Ambulance NHS Trust 12,575 18.09 East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust 33,029 16.36 East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust 45,090 16.13 Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust 27,242 18.24 Gloucestershire Ambulance Services NHS Trust 8,593 16.70 Greater Manchester Ambulance NHS Trust 35,195 12.55 Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 21,111 13.94 Hereford and Worcester Ambulance NHS Trust 12,080 19.02 Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust 2,455 17.95 Kent Ambulance NHS Trust 21,743 14.46 Lancashire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 27,150 18.02 Lincolnshire Ambulance NHS Trust 17,660 18.80 London Ambulance Service NHS Trust 119,785 15.01 Mersey Regional Ambulance Service NHS Trust 30,248 12.01 North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust 29,127 17.47 Oxfordshire Ambulance NHS Trust 9,900 18.27 Royal Berkshire Ambulance Service Trust 13,970 19.19 S Yorks Met Amb and Paramed Sery NHS Trust 16,848 12.04 Shropshire's Community and Mental HS NHS Trust 6,340 15.87 Staffordshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 16,218 16.09 Surrey Ambulance Service NHS Trust 19,518 20.55 Sussex Ambulance Service NHS Trust 27,872 18.19 Tees East and Nth Yorkshire Amb Serv NHS Trust 32,276 17.33 Two Shires Ambulance NHS Trust 18,835 16.75 Warwickshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 9,328 20.34 West Midlands Ambulance NHS Trust 39,167 14.21 West Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 45,173 20.82 West Country Ambulance Services NHS Trust 40,493 19.97 Wiltshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 9,744 17.99