AQW 5884/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 27/07/2020
Answered On Date: 13/08/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to outline the actions he is taking to prevent malnutrition among over-65s arising from the particular issues of lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer:

Lockdown has proved challenging for all Health and Social Care Trust services. However HSC staff and Allied Health Professional (AHP) therapy services have worked closely with adults over 65 to deliver and prioritise therapeutic support for those at risk of malnutrition during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The PHA has led work in partnership with the HSCB and Trusts to raise awareness and develop regional guidance assisting with the identification of malnutrition and signposting for further help. This work was targeted to those in Care Home settings with eating, drinking and swallowing issues. Two specific sets of guidance were issued “Regional nutritional guidance for care home residents suspected or confirmed COVID-19” (21.05.2020) and “Eating, Drinking and Swallowing during COVID-19, Advice for staff supporting residents in care homes” (released 21.05.2020). These were distributed to all care homes within Northern Ireland and released on social media.

A PHA blog, PHA healthy recipes website (www.choosetolivebetter.com) and “Keeping Well At Home Guidance Booklet”, a booklet to give older people ideas and suggestions (including nutrition) to keep safe and well at home during the pandemic, are available online.

Detailed planning for the recovery of services is underway across all HSC Trusts, and is seeking to build on some of the innovative ways of working that have emerged to help people at risk of malnutrition including the increased use of social media and digital platforms.