AQW 6965/22-27

Mr Peter McReynolds
Alliance Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 20/02/2024
Answered On Date: 06/03/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health what plans he has to raise the minimum legal standard of food provision in care settings.

Answer:

I have no immediate plans to replace the Nutrition Strategy Promoting Good Nutrition: A Strategy for Good Nutritional Care for Adults in all Care Settings in Northern Ireland 2011 - 2015.

The vision of the strategy was to improve the quality of nutritional care of adults in Northern Ireland in health and social care, through the prevention, identification and management of malnutrition in all health and social care settings including in their own homes.

My officials are currently reviewing the care standards for both Nursing and Residential Care Homes, which will consider nutritional standards, following the publication of the Enhancing Clinic Care Framework (ECCF). This framework is to ensure those living in adult care homes have access to the clinical and wellbeing support they want, and need, to live healthy, fulfilling lives.