By Jacqueline Dennis, Improvement Adviser

Just take a moment to think of some of your favourite foods. Maybe it’s some crispy bacon in a fresh morning roll that’s smothered in butter, a slow-cooked Sunday roast with all the trimmings or a lovely nut roast if you are vegetarian/vegan. Simply thinking about it is probably making your mouth water.

Food and fluids are necessary for life and the fuel we need to survive and thrive. They are also a source of great pleasure. We eat with all our senses so aroma, temperature and texture all play their part in how we enjoy vital sustenance. Most of us take it for granted that we can eat and drink pretty much what we want, when we want, so long as it’s all within moderation. But that is not always true for people experiencing care services.

It is essential for people experiencing care to have access to good food and fluids that meet their needs and respect their choices. That’s why we have produced a new online resource exploring and sharing good practice examples from across Scotland to help people eat and drink well in care. The new Spotlight on Food and Fluid is published on the Care Inspectorate’s The Hub website and is part of our ongoing programme to encourage, promote and bring about improvement in how people experience care.

This new resource offers a wealth of good practice guidance and real-life examples including videos, guidance documents, handy hints and tips, recipes, menus and useful links. It has been primarily developed for use in caring for an older person but the principles can be applied to a wider adult age group.

It is widely recognised that effective care practice in food and fluids is much more than just eating and drinking. Most people’s food choices are influenced by a variety of personal factors such as enjoyment, ethnic heritage and tradition, values, taste preferences, image, availability, convenience and economy. As people grow older their dietary requirements change. However, maintaining a good diet and keeping active can help prevent potential health problems and play a key part in living and ageing well.

Spotlight on Food and Fluid for adults and older people is built around five simple messages that can make a big difference to how people experience care:
1. Know me and what, how and when I like to eat and drink
2. Communicate my food and fluid needs
3. What help do I need to eat and drink independently
4. Create an environment that promotes the dining experience
5. What you need to do to make sure I eat well

The information on this site is based on Scotland’s new Health and Social Care Standards and makes reference to the specific standards that relate to eating and drinking (1.33 – 1.39), though many of the other standards are also relevant. Our aim is that this resource will help carers meet the relevant aspects of the new standards and create better outcomes for people experiencing care.

This resource has been developed by involving people experiencing care and a range of stakeholders from across health and social care. It is a live resource where we will share ideas and learn from each other. Practice examples will be regularly updated on the site and practitioners can share their good practice improvement examples by using the Submit Your Story link on the homepage of The Hub. We hope you find this resource inspiring and useful.