Poor nutritional care reports ‘on the rise in NHS’

The number of reported incidents in the health service related to inadequate nutritional care has increased in the past three years, it has been claimed.

In 2007, the number of serious incidents reported by staff was 29,000, compared to 15,000 in 2005, the BBC reports.

According to the National Patient Safety Agency, this rise has come as a result of enhanced reporting.

It said the figures included procedures like feeding tube insertion, with little or no harm done to patients.

Shadow health minister Stephen O’Brien attacked the government after the release of these figures following a parliamentary question.

Mr O’Brien said; “This is a further disgraceful statistic from a government which has failed patients and the public.”

Patrick South from older person’s charity Age Concern said this issue is a vital one for the health service, adding that a missed meal can risk patient safety as much as skipping medication.

Last month, health minister Ben Bradshaw announced plans to enhance standards of care and deal with underperformance by some primary care trusts and hospitals.

These included the establishment of minimum standards of quality, financial management and safety, with trusts who do not meet these standards being identified.