Food, Fluid and Nutritional Care
About the Standards
This document introduces NHS Quality Improvement Scotland s
Clinical Standards for Food, Fluid and Nutritional Care in
Hospitals. These standards were developed by the Project Group
convened by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland and apply to specific
elements of the service. They include sections on:
- the strategic and co-ordinated approach required by NHS Boards
to ensure both that food and fluid are delivered effectively in
hospitals, and a high quality of nutritional care is provided;
- assessment and screening, in relation to eating, drinking and
nutrition, and the subsequent care planning that is required when a
person is admitted to hospital;
- the formalised mechanisms needed to actually plan and deliver
food and fluid;
- the subsequent provision of food and fluid directly to
patients;
- communication with patients about eating, drinking and
nutrition; and
- specific training and education requirements for staff.
The standards will be used by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland
to assess performance in the provision of food, fluid and
nutritional care in NHS Boards throughout Scotland.
Published Date: 19 September 2003
