Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 October 2006
174 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress that has been made in implementing the Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s 2000 recommendations for a national food and nutrition policy for older people; and the nutrient and food based guidance her Department provides for those providing residential care for older people. [34742/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaking healthy and nourishing food choices easily accessible to older people in residential care can help reduce the incidence of poor nutrition, under-nutrition or over-nutrition. My Department has drawn up an outline proposal for food served in health care Facilities, as part of the implementation of key Departmental strategies: the National Health Promotion Strategy and Quality and Fairness — A Health System for You
This proposal includes residential care for older people and is being delivered in 3 phases:
Phase 1: The Healthy Catering Guidelines for Staff and Visitors in Healthcare Facilities.
These guidelines, which will benefit staff and visitors in all Healthcare facilities, were published in 2005. An achievement award scheme to encourage and assist Healthcare Facilities wishing to adopt and evaluate the implementation of these guidelines, was launched in June 2006 and is being coordinated by the Health Promoting Hospitals Network.
Phase 2: Guidelines for Preventing Under-Nutrition in Acute Hospitals.
These guidelines will benefit all patients in Acute Hospitals. These guidelines, which will be available later this year, have been developed with the Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute, the Catering Managers Association and Health Promoting Hospitals Network. An achievement award scheme to assist Healthcare Facilities in adopting these guidelines is also planned.
Phase 3: Guidelines for Food and Nutrition in Long-Stay Healthcare Facilities.
These guidelines will benefit all those in long-term care, including residential care for older people. The guidelines will be developed by an expert group of stakeholders in 2007. The Guidelines for Preventing Under-Nutrition in Acute Hospitals will serve as a starting point for these and will include other nutrition problems for older people, such as inappropriate over-nutrition. An achievement award scheme is also envisaged.
Furthermore, improving nutrition for older people has been addressed by providing some dedicated community dietetic posts through home-care packages; the essence of care programmes, which now include nutrition as a key component; and pilot projects, such as the person centred project in the HSE Midland area, of which nutrition is a key component.
