- Reference Number: HEY1187/2021
- Departments: Nutrition Support
- Last Updated: 30 March 2021
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The following information has been provided by the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics (dietitians) to give you information that may help you to improve your nutritional (energy, protein, vitamin and mineral) intake whilst you are in hospital and when you are recovering from your illness at home.
Why am I receiving this information?
When you are admitted to hospital nursing staff carry out nutritional health screening. This has identified that you may benefit from having some first line nutritional advice. If you have had a diagnosis of COVID 19, this can also lead to a reduced appetite and poor nutritional intake. As a result of your nutritional health screening, you have been identified at medium risk of malnutrition (undernutrition) whilst in hospital. The information leaflet provides practical nutritional advice for you to follow. You may be referred to a dietitian if you need specialist dietary advice.
I have been given some build up drinks, what are these?
The nutritional health screening that has been completed by the nursing staff may tell us that you could benefit from some extra support with your nutrition. You will be offered some build up drinks during your hospital stay. It is unlikely you will need to continue these when you are discharged from hospital. You may be referred to a dietitian if your nutrition health screening changes.
If you are already on build up drinks, these are likely to be a different brand to those provided during your stay. On discharge, you need to speak to the team or professional that prescribed the build up drinks to check if you still need to continue these.
What if I go home and my nutrition does not improve?
If this is the case, please weigh yourself weekly if able and continue to follow the advice in the information leaflets. If you continue to lose weight without meaning to (unintentionally) or are concerned about your appetite and nutritional intake, your doctor, practice nurse or practice pharmacist can refer you to a community dietitian.
What if I have been told to change my diet or need modified texture or thickened fluids?
If are anxious about the advice or need to follow a special diet for medical reasons, please ask your doctor or practice nurse to refer you to a community dietitian. If you have received guidance from a speech and language therapist about texture modification or thickened fluids then please continue to follow the advice that has been provided to you.
