Adhering to a GF diet is known to be challenging, and this is shown by levels of adherence ranging between 36-96%. In England, National Prescribing Guidelines recommend prescribing 18 units per month for adults clinically diagnosed with CD. However, a number of local clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are currently restricting or removing GF prescriptions, resulting in disparity.
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More and more, nutrition economic studies are showing that nutrition care is a cost-effective way to prevent and treat medical problems for both acute and chronic health conditions.
Complementary foods, also known as ‘weaning foods’ or ‘baby foods’, facilitate the transition from a liquid diet based on breastmilk or infant formula, to one which includes solid foods.
In the UK it is recommended that complementary feeding occurs around 6 months of age. During this period of life, due to rapid growth and development, nutrient needs are very high.
Commercially prepared complementary foods can help to ensure parents may always provide a variety of balanced and healthy foods that offer a range of tastes and textures. They can be used as part of a diversified diet to help support the safe nourishment of young children.
The Department of Health launched a consultation on the availability of gluten-free foods on prescription, which ended at midday on 22 June 2017.
An update on specialist nutrition, published in the June edition of CN Magazine. This month BSNA discusses the innovation and regulation of formula milks, along with the Department of Health's consultation on the availability of gluten-free foods on prescription.
Coeliac UK has published their response to the the Department of Health's Consultation on the availability of gluten-free foods on prescription
BSNA are seeking the views of those who suffer from coeliac disease to help respond to the Department of Health consultation on the availability of gluten-free foods on prescription.
Malnutrition associated with disease and under-nutrition negatively affects the treatment of patients in European countries. Each patient should be systematically screened, and if identified or at risk of becoming malnourished, should have access to adequate, equitable and high-quality nutritional care.
Research carried out at Queens University Belfast by Professor Meharg and colleagues and reported in the media was carried out using products bought in February 2016. This was one month after the application of the legislative requirements. It is likely that all samples were manufactured before the legislation came into force.
There have been no validated reports of children or babies becoming ill from the very small amounts of arsenic found in these products.
If any safety concern existed in relation to the products on the market before January, 2016, they would have been withdrawn from the market. This did not happen confirming the safety of these products.
Over the past year, there has been an increasing focus on the regulatory environment of formula milks. In May 2016, a resolution was proposed at the World Health Assembly (WHA), which called for the banning of advertising of all formulas for the first three years of life. Over the same summer, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) consulted its members on whether the College should receive any funding from formula milk companies. In late 2016, Alison Thewliss MP introduced a Bill to the House of Commons, Feeding Products for Babies and Children (Advertising and Promotion).
A mother will always want the best for her new born baby and when it comes to feeding, the research demonstrates that breastmilk provides the best nutritional support for a growing infant. However, in reality, breastfeeding rates in the UK are low. New survey data from Public Health England (PHE) and NHS England indicates that although almost three-quarters of women start breastfeeding when their child is born, within 6-8 weeks this has dropped to 44%.
Coeliac UK have written 5 myth-busting facts about gluten-free foods.
Kevan Jones MP is calling for the Government to maintain gluten free foods on prescriptions, following the announcement from Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England, that a national review will be conducted looking at 10 prescription items.
Today Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England, has announced there will be a review of low value prescription items from April 2017, introducing new guidance for CCGs.
Tendering for nutrition supply services can be considered a complex and significant undertaking, involving collaboration from a wide range and diversity of stakeholders. The ‘Best practice for the provision of nutrition supply services including feeds, pumps, consumables, home delivery and associated support services’ document is intended to support procurement groups/clinicians throughout the process and aims to define and encourage best practice with regard to the procurement of nutrition supply services across the whole health economy.
Good nutrition is important all through life, but never more so than in old age, when a healthy diet is a vital part of any strategy to help older people stay active, disease-free and independent.
The Telegraph has published an article titled 'Losing weight in old age is 'not normal' and should be seen as alarm bell' discussing the warning signs and consequences of malnutirtion. A study by the Malnutrition Task Force has shown a tripling in the number of patients admitted to hospital suffering from malnutrition over the past decade. Experts have said that losing weight in old age could be an “alarm bell” for malnutrition or cancer, as losing weight is not a normal part of ageing.
On 1 March 2017 the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) held a conference discussing the changes in legislation from PARNUTS to FSG.
An open letter to the UK Government on future trading with the Republic of Ireland as the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.
Specialist nutrition helps people to be healthy, survive and thrive at every stage of their lives. It supports positive health outcomes and reduces costs to the NHS. This month, our CN column considers the impact that restrictions on prescriptions of gluten-free foods and infant formulas has on patient outcomes and the resulting costs to the NHS.
A Bill was published this week by Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central (SNP). First presented to the House of Commons on 16 November 2016, a second reading was scheduled for Friday 24 February, but has now been postponed to 24 March 2017.
Specialist nutrition helps people to be healthy, survive and thrive at every stage of their lives. It supports positive health outcomes and reduces costs to the NHS. This month, our CN Column discusses two main topics.
Breastmilk is the best nutrition for a baby and the first feeds protect against infection as antibodies are passed to the baby. Where a mother cannot or chooses not to breastfeed, infant formula is the only safe alternative that should be used.
BSNA calls on CCGs to ensure that gluten free food is available on prescription. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has launched its first Quality Standard on coeliac disease, aiming to drive standards in the diagnosis, support and care of people with coeliac disease. It also identifies areas where health inequalities negatively impact patients who suffer from coeliac disease.
BSNA has written an article on malnutrition in the elderly, which was published in NHD Magazine.
The British Specialist Nutrition Association (BSNA) and its members recognise their responsibility in meeting the challenges posed by obesity.
BSNA has written an article on prescribing Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS), which was published in the August / September edition of the NHD Magazine.