A novel, practical and engaging new resource for Care Homes
Authors: Aude Cholet, Prescribing Support Dietitian for North Hampshire and West
Hampshire CCGs, Anna Clayton, Community Nutritional Management Specialist
Dietitian for NHS Guildford and Waverley CCG, Sarah Colson, Senior Prescribing
Support Dietitian for North East Hampshire and Farnham CCG, Philip Ellis Martin, Care
Home Forum Project Officer, Frimley System Care Home Forum, Anna Fitzgibbon,
Prescribing Support Dietitian for Care Homes, First Community Health and Care, Dr
Sarah O’Callaghan, Hydration Clinical Lead for the HYDRATE in Care Homes Project,
Kent, Surrey Sussex Academic Health Science Network, Jo-Ann Roets, Specialist
Prescribing Senior Dietitian for Surrey Heath CCG, Devika Vadher and Katie
Humphreys, Dental Core Trainees in Dental Public Health Education England
“The role of good nutrition and
hydration cannot, and should not, be
underestimated in relation to
maintaining health and well-being and
improving the quality of people’s lives”
(Caroline Lecko, founder member of Nutrition and
Hydration Week)
Our Aims:
1. To promote relevant health messages to care home staff and residents to improve health and
wellbeing, and support the prevention of ill health and disease.
2. To provide a range of activities for residents, staff and visitors to enjoy. These activities support
relevant health messages and enhance residents’ wellbeing.
3. To test a new model of prevention provision within our Care Home population
Health professionals who are passionate about helping care home staff to provide excellent nutrition and hydration for their
residents developed the concept of ‘Nourish’, seeking help and support from the Vanguard Project Happy, Healthy and at Home, as
well as the Wessex Academic Health Science Network nutrition project stream. The themes were developed based on the
international Nutrition and Hydration Week initiative. Each day of the week presents a different health message, with educational
content for staff and themed activities for residents to enjoy
Once the content was finalised, NHS Creative worked on the design and visual appeal. Happy Healthy at Home provided the funding
for the first 600 print run in July 2016.
Progress so far:
The pack is available online at: www.happyhealthyathome.org/news/downloads/8-nourish-resource-pack/file
So far the pack has been downloaded over 580 times. Local evaluation of the impact of the Nourish pack is currently underway
through monitoring of the associated Checklist towards Excellence in Nutrition and Hydration Care.
Most areas have elected to disseminate the pack through the creation of a Nutrition and Hydration champion network. The
champions will be encouraged to attend regular events which will provide opportunities for networking, peer support and
mentoring by experts in the field.
References: BAPEN, Malnutrition task force, The Caroline Walker Trust, Hydrate in Care
Homes Project, Nutrition and Hydration Week, British Dietetic Association, Food Standards
Agency
“We hope that this resource pack will inspire all
those who read it to celebrate the importance of
eating and drinking. Good food and drink provide
pleasure, nourishment and a chance to socialise
with all members of the Care Home family”