CEO Blog - March 2015

Nutrition Matters

It was a great privilege to be get along to several events during Nutrition & Hydration Week. Nutrition is one of our focus areas as an AHSN and as you can see from our nutrition newsletter we’ve a number of projects around Wessex. Whilst obesity is certainly a significant issue we know that under nutrition in older people has significant health consequences.

In Purbeck there has been a project running to help address this under-nutrition, the AHSN has provided some funding and the work now forms part of the Malnutrition Task Force pilot programme. In Nutrition & Hydration Week there was a celebration of the work and opportunity to meet those involved at Wareham Corn Exchange. I was struck by the enthusiasm of those involved and the wide range of involvement – across health & social care and strong voluntary sector input – determined leadership is certainly key in the success.

Later in the week I joined the launch and tea party in Eastleigh for the Older People’s Essential Nutrition (OPEN) – again we are looking to improve health & avoid the need for GP visits and hospital admissions by preventing under-nutrition in older people.

Once again I was struck by the multiagency and multiprofessional involvement, as well as great support from the voluntary sector, and it was good to be joined by Eastleigh’s Deputy Mayor and her partner at Friday’s tea party.

Both these projects are examples of how the AHSN can use its modest resources to support local action for change that should deliver health and social benefits. Well done to all involved.

Martin Stephens

Chief Executive