The role of dining companions in supporting nursing care
Intended for healthcare professionals
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The role of dining companions in supporting nursing care

Helen Brown Professional lead for clinical support workers, NHS Westminster, London
Lucy Jones Bariatric specialist dietician, Whittington Hospital, London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London

Malnutrition in hospitals is an ongoing international issue. Research indicates that there are many barriers to nutritional care, including lack of nursing time, knowledge and understanding. The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust runs an annual audit on standards of nutritional screening and subsequent care. To fulfil the organisation’s objective of focusing on patient safety and quality of care, the hospital has developed a multidisciplinary approach to malnutrition that includes using volunteers as dining companions.

Nursing Standard. 23, 41, 40-46. doi: 10.7748/ns2009.06.23.41.40.c7049

Correspondence

helen.brown@westminster-pct.nhs.uk

Peer review

This article has been subject to double blind peer review

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