Nutrition & Hydration Week 2014 (17-23 March) is one month away and anticipation is mounting as the nationwide campaign exceeds all expectations and goes global.
The week of action to raise awareness and improve understanding of the vital importance of good nutrition and hydration across social and health care settings now reaches far beyond the UK, with activity confirmed and registered as far afield as India and Canada.
The three leading organisations of Nutrition & Hydration Week 2014 – Patient Safety First (PSF), Hospital Caterers Association (HCA) and National Association of Care Catering (NACC) – put out the challenge to everyone involved in nutritional care in health and social care settings to use the week as a platform to demonstrate and share nutrition and hydration best practice, and illustrate how by making changes to eating and drinking habits people can improve their quality of life.
Worldwide Afternoon Tea
Service providers across the country have taken up the challenge with a host of activities planned. In particular, the call to take part in Nutrition & Hydration Week’s Worldwide Afternoon Tea on Wednesday 19 March, urging social and health care providers to serve afternoon teas to service users and present a united effort and commitment to improving nutrition and hydration, has been responded to.
A very small flavour of activities taking place within the care sector includes tea dances hosted by Leicestershire County Council; and a wartime-themed afternoon tea party at Nightingale Care Home in Ecclesfield.
Host of activities
Hospitals have also stepped up to the mark with activities such as food tasting in the entrance to Royal Liverpool University Hospital, plus and a tea and scone day with patients, matrons and ward managers; the launch of a new hydration project at County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust; and afternoon tea being enjoyed on the wards and in designated areas in many hospitals across the country.
The fantastic mix of activities showcase the incredible dedication and imagination of the people involved. Caterers, dieticians, care staff, nurses, and occupational therapists have really embraced the week, all with the common aim of embedding good nutrition and hydration into everyone’s care.
Focussing attention on nutrition and hydration
Neel Radia, Chair, NACC, comments: “Nutrition & Hydration Week is shaping up to be an incredible week that will focus attention and efforts on the importance of good nutrition and hydration – a message that is relevant across the globe. By coming together in the spirit of education and sharing best practice and ideas we can create a long-term legacy that will ensure those entrusted to our care always receive the correct nutrition and hydration.”
Nutrition & Hydration Week 2014 will focus on positive action. It will provide vital advice and guidance to health and social professionals on the action that can be taken to help prevent under-nutrition and dehydration and help relieve the stress both is placing stress on health and social care services.
Information on how to get involved in Nutrition & Hydration Week 2014, including advice, event ideas, downloadable posters, leaflets and logos, is available from www.nutritionandhydrationweek.co.uk.