This list signposts guidance and tools which are particularly relevant to patient safety in nutritional care.
Some of these resources are in PDF format - see How to access PDF files
Care Quality Commission (2011) Dignity and nutrition inspection programme: national review
This dignity and nutrition review was a targeted inspection programme of NHS hospitals. It looked at whether older people are treated with respect and whether they get food and drink that meets their needs. the revie took place between March and June 2011 and all inspections were unannounced.
Department of Health (2007) Improving nutritional care
"Good nutrition and hydration and enjoyable mealtimes can dramatically improve the health and well-being of older people. It is unacceptable that in some institutions there is an absence of good quality, attractive and nutritious food for older people and a failure to provide support at mealtimes for those who need it – that constitutes a lack of respect for people’s dignity. Mealtimes should be considered a priority in terms of importance and dedication of staff time, and systems within organisations should reflect this." (p.2)
Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman (2011) Care and Compassion
This report highlights 10 cases in which patients suffered unnecessary pain, indignity and distress while being looked after in hospital or by GPs.
RCN (2008) The RCN's definition of dignity (PDF 77KB)
The RCN definition of dignity was part of the RCN Dignity Campaign.
RCN (2010) Principles of Nursing Practice: Principle A
The Principles describe what everyone can expect from nursing practice, whether colleagues, patients, their families or carers. This page brings together RCN resources which are particularly relevant to Principle A which focuses on dignity.
RCN: Dignity online resource
This is an online resource which promotes dignified care and provides a range of resources to put this into practice. These resources will help to support a patient-centred approach to care and enable patients, their relatives and carers to feel in control and be able to make decisions for themselves.
Social Care Institute for Excellence (2009) SCIE Guide 15: Dignity in care: the dignity factors: Eating and nutritional care
Research indicates that eating and nutritional care is one of the eight main factors that promote dignity in care. This section of the ‘Dignity in care’ guide provides guidance on this area of care and links to practical resources which support implementation and training. There is also a section describing different ideas that others have used in improving eating and nutritional care.
SCIE: At a glance 3: Nutritional care and older people
This At a glance summary examines nutritional care in relation to older people. As part of its Nutrition Action Plan, the Department of Health has asked SCIE to provide guidance on nutrition for the social care sector. SCIE’s Dignity in Care guide has been expanded to cover this information in a section on Nutritional care. The main points of this section are included here.