Core Groups updates
BAPEN Communications Update
A key focus in Q1 for BAPEN was Nutrition & Hydration Week 2014 (17-23 March) which saw nationwide activity to raise awareness and improve understanding of the vital importance of good nutrition and hydration in healthand social care. As a keen supporter BAPEN launched three key initiatives to tie in with the many activities that were taking place during that week.
- Nutrition Screening Week (NSW) Reports
- Nutritional Care and the Patient Voice: Are we being listened to?
- Malnutrition Matters: A commitment to act
In June all three reports were sent out to all the Quality Leads of the CCGs, Chief Nurses, Government, Professional organisations (eg RCN, BDA etc). The reports were accompanied by a letter urging proactive engagement and commitment. Each recipient has been requested to complete a ‘pledge’ as a promise to make changes and make a difference. We are now collating the pledges and will publish on the BAPEN website shortly. The pledges can be from individuals or organisations so if you are not involved in pledging change in your place of work yet please visit the BAPEN website and read through Malnutrition Matters: A commitment to Act.
To make the work of the BAPEN committees more visible a new ‘Spotlight On’ video series has just been launched on the website. In the first one Mike Stroud talks about the work and vision of the Quality & Safety Committee. Keep your eye on the BAPEN website for more interviews.
A new photographic library of generic images to help illustrate ‘nutrition and hydration’ has just been developed and is now available for all members on the website shortly. We hope that the resource will be useful for anyone preparing reports and presentations, we will also use on the website and in press work.
Date for your diary:
- 14th/15th October: BAPEN Annual Conference
Please do regularly check the BAPEN website and for those who engage in social media don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook so you are aware of all the latest news.
We will continue to keep you up to date with all communications activities and in the meantime, if anyone has any news or information they would like to share with their fellow members, please contact Helen Lawn or Charlotte Messer in the BAPEN Press Office on 01892 525141 – we would love to hear from you.
Click on the image to find out more
PINNTs’ Second Awareness Week
The week involved professional groups making a pledge to produce, or initiate, a patient focused piece or work or resource. We were delighted to receive pledges from the key groups as shown in the jigsaw.
On day 5 it was the
turn of PENG: PENG pledge to work with PINNT and other professional bodies to develop a range of resources to guide patients and carers on how to look for, treat or prevent malnutrition and understand the methods of nutrition support available, and such resources we will be developing will include sign-posting guides to help people access good nutritional care.
In addition to the groups shown we had 16 supporters all pledging to make a difference too. PINNT will be following up each pledge to ensure it is delivered within the timescale, end of 2014, each one will be advertised and used accordingly.
Each d
ay patient stories were revealed and they too made a wish. Here is Georgina, she is on enteral feeding. She shares her story:
At the age of three I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. After six months of uncertainty and tests I was put onto immunosuppressants and steroids to manage the condition. I failed to absorb all the nutrients of the food I ate and was falling behind my peers in height and weight
That is when I was put onto enteral feeding. It was daunting at first and my parents worried over whether it was the right thing to do, but after another eight years of having one litre of supplementary feed every night on top of the food that I managed to eat, I caught up with my twin sister in height and weight.
My family helped me accept the tube by giving them names, my first was called "Gutsy Angel" and I have had many others since. I’ve kept up the tradition of naming them; my current one is called "Phil". My family and I don't allow my tube to stand in the way of me living a life. We have been to Florida twice, Crete many times, swimming with dolphins, enjoying horse riding, and I just attended my school prom. Going on holiday is daunting for everyone, but we are lucky enough to have a great homecare company who arrange and deliver all my feeds to the destination for me so I only have to travel with a few days instead of two weeks' worth of supplies. They provide letters and contact details to assist me getting through airport security and then there is the help and support from PINNT. PINNT offer invaluable guidance and are on hand to provide emotional support through the wealth of the experience of their members.
Looking back, my first tube was placed on July 4th and although I am not American I believe that this is the day that I gained back some of my independence from ulcerative colitis.
My one wish: That the backpacks which make things much more portable and practical were available in exciting colours, grey and black are really not my style!
I know that my parents would love it if the pump could have a louder alarm as I tend to sleep right through it and my mum, dad and sister are the ones who are woken up and have to turn it off and correct the problem.
It’s sometimes the simplest things in life that make a difference to the day-to-day lives of people such as Georgina.
PINNT aims to provide the practical support to enhance day-to-day living on home artificial nutrition.
Membership is FREE to full (patients) and associate (friends, family, interested parties) members. There are many benefits to being a member so why now visit: www.pinnt.co.uk and sign up today.
If you have patients who would benefit from joining PINNT then please pass on our details or contact us for further information: info@pinnt.com.