Record numbers die of malnutrition in NHS
RECORD numbers of patients are dying malnourished in NHS hospitals, with almost one case a day reported.
Charities last night said the figures were “shocking” and urged hospitals to do more to ensure that vulnerable elderly patients receive help eating and drinking.
The statistics show 351 patients in England and Wales had malnutrition listed on their death certificate as an underlying cause or contributory factor in 2016 – the latest figures available. This is 18 per cent higher than the 297 recorded the year before – and 31 per cent up on the 268 figure a decade earlier.
Over the past decade, a total of 3,022 people died with malnutrition listed as a factor. Last night MPS said the findings were “shameful” and demanded an inquiry into malnutrition in society.
Experts said that in many cases, elderly people were being taken to hospital after becoming malnourished in their own homes, and yet still failed to be properly fed on NHS wards. The findings come on the fifth anniversary of the Mid Staffs public inquiry, where hundreds of patients died amid appall- ing failings in care, with patients left starving and thirsty.
Jonathan Ashworth, shadow health secretary, said: “This rise in deaths because of malnutrition is absolutely shocking for one of the richest nations on the planet. I believe we need a full inquiry into malnutrition in society.
“The truth is years of cuts and falling real incomes means child poverty and malnutrition are on the increase in Tory Britain. It really is shameful.”
Caroline Abrahams, charity director
at Age UK, said: “It is shocking that more than one million older people suffer from or are at risk of malnutrition in our country. It is a huge hidden problem in our communities.
“There are many reasons why people become malnourished – poor health can make it harder for people to shop and cook, many lack the help they need at home to eat and drink properly, and for some, loneliness, isolation and depression may mean they simply lose motivation to eat well.
“Many of these people will eventually come into hospital or a care home – in fact nearly one in three of all older people admitted to hospital are already malnourished or at risk of malnutrition.
“It is vital that they get the additional help and support they need to eat and drink while they are able.”
The figures, collated by the Office for National Statistics, show that in 2016, 66 people had malnutrition or the effects of hunger listed on their death certificate as an “underlying cause”.
Another 285 had malnutrition mentioned on their certificate as a contributory factor – making up a total of 351.
The year before, 59 people had malnutrition listed as an underlying cause plus 238 as a contributory factor. The statistics for 2007 show 53 cases where malnutrition was cited as an underlying cause, with 215 where it was classed as a contributory factor.
Malnourishment can be a cause of death because it weakens a patient’s immune system – meaning they are less likely to cope with potentially-fatal diseases such as flu and pneumonia.
The figures are likely to include patients whose illness made eating more difficult, some of whom should have been given liquid nutrition.
In a letter to Mr Ashworth, John Pullinger, the UK National Statistician, said: “Malnutrition may be recorded as the underlying cause of death, but this is a rare occurrence.
“More commonly, malnutrition or ‘effects of hunger’ may be recorded on the death certificate as a contributory factor, but not as the underlying cause. Those who die with the condition are usually already very ill.
“For example, someone with malnutrition may have cancer of the digestive tract, which means they cannot absorb nutrients; they may have suffered from a stroke or have advanced dementia which can cause difficulties chewing and swallowing; or they may abuse alcohol and so not eat properly.”
An NHS England spokesman said: “As the UK Statistics Authority notes it is rare for malnutrition to be cited in relation to deaths and the causes can be complex, with many people already extremely ill when they are admitted to hospital.
“However, hospitals are being asked to take this issue seriously with good nutrition and diet a clear priority and staff aware of the danger signs.”