Malnutrition is a serious problem, with more than three million people in the UK either malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. Most at risk of malnutrition are those with chronic diseases living in the community and care homes; namely those who have been recently discharged from hospital, people living alone and the elderly. Around 98% of malnutrition exists outside the hospital setting.

Malnutrition in England is currently estimated to cost the public purse £19.6 billion per year. Consequently, improving nutritional care for individuals who are malnourished, or at risk of malnutrition, could have considerable cost-saving implications, including:

• Fewer hospital admissions and readmissions
• Shorter length of stay in hospital
• Fewer healthcare needs in the community, such as GP visits and care at patients’ homes

Katherine Sykes discusses ways to manage malnutrition effectively, the current guidance in place, along with the potential benefits that can be achieved by managing malnutrition. The full article can be read here.