kirsty donald

Kirsty Donald Medical Nutrition Manager – AYMES

The “Nutrition in Focus: A UK Overview” report, commissioned by AYMES, uncovers critical challenges and opportunities within the United Kingdom’s (UK) medical nutrition landscape. With malnutrition now costing the UK over £23.5 billion annually,1 this report provides valuable insights into the current state of nutritional care and presents actionable recommendations for healthcare professionals (HCPs).

Nutrition in Focus also delves into the evolving role of the dietitian and features contributions from expert healthcare practitioners who are on the front line, navigating the day-to-day challenges to provide a true insider perspective. Real-life data from a survey of over 200 dietitians is discussed alongside clinical evidence and current practices.

This blog post highlights the report’s key findings and encourages healthcare professionals to download the full report to delve deeper into the subject.

The Current State of Malnutrition in the UK

3 million people in the UK are reported to be malnourished at any one time,2 and this carries the risk of poorer clinical outcomes and higher mortality rates.3 Over the past five years, a series of global and domestic events have strained the UK’s health and social care systems. The COVID-19 pandemic,4 rising living costs,5 climate change emergencies, and geo-political tensions have all contributed to these pressures. As a result, malnutrition remains a critical yet often overlooked issue in the National Health Service (NHS).

Dietitians play a central role in the management of malnutrition. However, they are a relatively small group of HCPs. The need for coherent strategies, established responsibilities and policies for the prevention and treatment of malnutrition across all healthcare settings is clear. This involves supporting new and extended roles for dietitians themselves, education and training for all HCPs involved in malnutrition management, as well as embracing modern ways of working with telehealth and digital tools.

Nutrition in Focus found that:

Over a third of dietitians believe that malnutrition is not prioritised within the NHS,6 suggesting a need for a more focused approach.

An overwhelming 98% of dietitians report an increased demand for dietetic intervention,6 highlighting the need for more resources and support for malnutrition management.

It is estimated that the health and social care sector could save up to £229 million annually with the implementation of nutritional care pathways,7 highlighting that there is a huge cost savings potential.

Addressing the Challenges and Looking to the Future

Nutrition in Focus doesn’t just identify problems; it provides clear recommendations and solutions for addressing the burden of malnutrition in the UK.

The report highlights a variety of innovations from different NHS Trusts that are already in place to help overcome the challenges highlighted. Many of these have the potential to be rolled out across the UK, and range from supporting those living with food insecurity, to sustainability initiatives.  Examples of new ways of working and incorporating digital solutions into malnutrition management are also discussed in a range of case studies.

Key recommendations from Nutrition in Focus include:

– Innovative Solutions: Development of validated nutritional screening tools for remote use to improve malnutrition identification, especially given the rise in virtual consultations.

– Enhancing the Role of Dietitians: An audit of dietetic roles within primary care networks (PCNs) to demonstrate their impact and guide future workforce planning.

– Sustainability and Innovation: A commitment from the British Specialist Nutrition Association (BSNA) members to use recyclable packaging and focus on product innovation, including sustainable and plant-based ingredients.

– Advocacy and Collaboration: The need for the dietetics community to work closely with key stakeholders in government, the NHS, and the scientific community to prioritise malnutrition and innovate identification and treatment methods.

Why You Should Download the Full Report

For those in the field of health and nutrition, staying informed about the latest research and developments is crucial. The “Nutrition in Focus: A UK Overview” report offers a detailed analysis of the challenges, opportunities, and strategies for effectively managing malnutrition in the UK. Downloading the report will equip you with the knowledge to influence change within your practice and contribute to broader health policy discussions.

nutrition in focus report

Conclusion

Malnutrition is a significant issue that requires immediate and coordinated action from all stakeholders in the healthcare sector. The “Nutrition in Focus: A UK Overview” report provides a comprehensive resource for health and nutrition professionals to understand the current challenges and to drive meaningful change in practice and policy. We encourage you to download the full report to better equip yourself with the knowledge needed to make a difference.

For more information and to access the full report, click here.

You can also watch the webinar about the report, click here.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written in collaboration with AYMES . Approval of each sponsor and activity is carefully assessed for suitability on a case by case basis. Sponsorship does not imply any endorsement of the brand by MyNutriWeb, its organisers, its moderators or any participating healthcare professional, or their association. Sponsorship funds are reinvested into the creation and promotion of professional development opportunities on MyNutriWeb.

About the AYMES Team:

AYMES is dedicated to improving the lives of malnourished patients through innovative nutritional products and solutions. Learn more about our work at www.aymes.com.

References

Stratton R, Smith T, Gabe S. Managing malnutrition to improve lives and save money. BAPEN. October 2018.

BDA The Association of UK Dietitians. (2022) Spotting and treating malnutrition resource. Available at https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/malnutrition.html. Accessed online November 2023.

Stratton RJ, Hébuterne X, Elia M. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of oral nutritional supplements on hospital readmissions. Ageing Res Rev. 2013 Sep;12(4):884-97. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2013.07.002. Epub 2013 Jul 24. PMID: 23891685.

Department of Health and Social Care. Direct and indirect health impacts of COVID-19 in England: emerging Omicron impacts. 2022.

Singh G, Uthayakumar-Cumarasamy A. Cost of living crisis: a UK crisis with global implications – A call to action for paediatricians. BMJ Paediatr Open. 2022;6(1).

AYMES Data on File. AYMES National Dietitian Survey (n=201); State of the Nation – Quantitative 2023. December, 2023.

Elia, M. The cost of malnutrition in England and potential cost savings from nutritional interventions. A report on the cost of disease-related malnutrition in England and a budget impact analysis of implementing the NICE clinical guidelines/quality standard on nutritional support in adults. 2015. Available at: https://www.bapen.org.uk/pdfs/economic-report-full.pdf. Accessed online November 2023.