The evaluation of the Scottish Borders/Food Train Eat Well Age Well implementation of the Patients Association Nutrition Checklist

Coulman, Elinor, Aburrow, Annemarie, Curran, Michael, Grant, Jen, Murphy, Jane, Murphy, Simon ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3589-3681, Robinson-Miles, Tilly, Sewell, Nichola and Hawkins, Jemma 2023. The evaluation of the Scottish Borders/Food Train Eat Well Age Well implementation of the Patients Association Nutrition Checklist. NIHR Open Research, Taylor and Francis. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.3310/nihropenres.1115207.1

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Abstract

Background: The Patients Association Nutrition Checklist (Checklist) is a simple tool that can be used to identify older adults who may be at risk of malnutrition at an early stage and provide simple advice and signpost to additional support. The Scottish Borders Council, in partnership with the Eat Well Age Well Charity, have been implementing the Checklist across health and social care organisations since Autumn 2021. Aims: To see if it was possible to use the Checklist in 12 organisations that work with older adults in the community, and to understand what the impact of the Checklist is for older adults and the staff who use it. Methods: Information regarding how the Checklist was used and the experiences of staff who work in the organisations was collected using online surveys. Organisation staff and the Checklist trainer (Eat Well Age Well) were interviewed about their experiences of using the Checklist. Key Findings: Use of the Checklist varied across organisations, data show it was completed with 461 older adults and that 7.4% were considered at risk of malnutrition. The Checklist: was easy to use; helped with difficult conversations and referrals to additional services (dietetics, GP); and was quick to deliver, costing £4.17-£6.83 per older adult. Things that made using the Checklist more difficult included: short appointment times; older adult capacity/communication issues; and staffing levels. As a result of using the Checklist, organisation staff developed improved skills and confidence spotting and managing malnutrition and health improvements were seen in older adults. Patient and Public Involvement (PPI): PPI representatives, using lived experience, contributed to the study design and interpretation/dissemination of results. Conclusions: Using the Checklist could help to increase awareness of malnutrition, improve conversations and prevent older adult ill-health. Recommendations for future use include embedding Checklist use at strategic level in organisations to support intended use of the Checklist.

Item Type:	Monograph (UNSPECIFIED)
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education) Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer)
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 April 2024
Last Modified:	30 Apr 2024 11:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/168505

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