Nutrition and Hydration Week 2022: Meet the Nutrition and Hydration Group
14th March 2022
This Nutrition and Hydration Week, say hello to our Nutrition and Hydration Group!
What do the Nutrition and Hydration Group do?
The Nutrition and Hydration Group are here to ensure patients nutritional and hydration needs (including their religious and cultural beliefs) are identified, monitored and met within Weldmar Hospicecare Services. They also ensure that CQC guidelines are adhered to and achieved.
One of the most important roles of the group is removing barriers to good nutrition. Often when we’re unwell, eating is the last thing we feel like doing!
On top of losing their appetites’ from their illness, there are other barriers that patients may face when it comes to getting good nutrition. This could include issues such as allergies, dysphasia, PEG tube feeding or specialist diets for stents or stomas.
All these things can not only lead to a lack of appetite, they can affect a patients relationship with food. It can be hard to enjoy food when every meal time poses a challenge. This means our team are always finding new ways for patients to enjoy food again; the group foster and promote the ethos of the ‘pleasure in eating’, with this being key to all aspects of food delivery, preparation and planning.
It’s not just patient diets that Weldmar looks after. Our Orangery Restaurant and Visitors Kitchen are open to visitors and staff members. This means the group also focus on the nutritional and hydration needs of those working and visiting our Inpatient Unit in Dorchester and at Trimar House in Weymouth.
How does the group achieve this?
The group regularly meets to review, monitor and put into action any issues highlighted. They also ensure the promotion of the delivery of suitable training and teaching of food hygiene, allergen awareness, patient meal assistance and clinical nutrition internally within the charity.
Meet the Nutrition and Hydration Group members!
Sam (Chair) – Chef ManagerChris (Deputy) – IPU SisterKath/Jane – Specialist Chef
Jo – Weldmar Community NurseWendy – Healthcare AssistantJenny – Day Services LeadDebbie /Nikki (Minutes) – Operations AdminJenny – Workforce Development FacilitatorRose – Neurology Nurse Specialist
