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Food and drink - the basic requirements of life
- Authors:
- DENNIS Monica, ALLEN Judith
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 13(3), 2011, pp.167-173.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
In December 2008, the Daily Mail published an article written by a founder member of the organisation ‘A Dignified Revolution’ (ADR) detailing negligent, unprofessional and uncaring practice in an elderly relative's hospital care. In response to this, 94 people from around the UK wrote to ADR providing their own examples of either being a patient in hospital or witnessing their loved one’s distress. This paper analyses this correspondence, particularly addressing one of the most common areas of concern; the management of hydration and nutrition. The vast majority of the criticisms were directed towards severe deficits in nursing practice. The experiences that were shared demonstrated not only a contravention of the nurse's code of practice, but also an abuse of older people's fundamental right to eat and drink. The findings also demonstrate the severe harm that can be caused to vulnerable older people and the trauma caused to relatives and carers. Many respondents were dismayed at the complete lack of nursing assessments and the inconsistencies in the documentation about their relatives' care, including food and fluid charts, which was so fundamental to their care needs.