Let us put it front and centre: Dysphagia is a fundamental part of health and social care provision. There are a wide variety of causal factors for developing dysphagia. This means that if you are involved in the provision of care: in hospitals, care homes, day centres or at home this will affect you. You will be relied upon to provide nutrition and hydration that is safe and meets clinical guidance. Does your dysphagia foodservice meet the demands of sector regulation?

A Clear Challenge

The importance of providing a varied and balanced dysphagia foodservice that meets clinical recommendations using IDDSI has been embraced across the health and social care sector in the UK and globally. In the UK businesses and organisations that we support with industry training demand that their provision meets the needs of regulatory governance.

It has been a great endorsement that The Close Care Home, rated ‘Outstanding in All Areas’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), has cited our training as an essential part of their journey to support their residents in the way that they do.

An Improving Area

The future looks bright. It is wonderful to see so many talented chefs, trainers, managers, dietitians and speech and language therapists championing the need for improved dysphagia foodservice and developing innovative recipes that bring delicious, contemporary dishes to life.

With all the positive work that is going on it can be easy to think of these as benevolent acts. We can forget the fact that this is a legal responsibility for health and social care provision set out in regulatory guidelines.

Although it is wonderful to see such great examples of what can be achieved with dysphagia foodservice provision, they can belie the sharp realities of the responsibilities care providers have for ensuring safety, welfare, respect, dignity; and in meeting nutritional needs. It is not just a good thing to do… it is essential!

Real Progress

The great news is that there is real progress going on to address the needs of people living with dysphagia. Inspirational and progressive leaders across the sector are putting in operational strategies that ensure safety and quality of life.

We work with NHS trusts, large and small care home providers, national facility management businesses, schools, prisons and recruiters. The common approach we see is the passion to improve quality of life and the understanding of their regulatory responsibility.

Does Your Dysphagia Foodservice Meet the Demands of Sector Regulation?

So what do you need to know in order to understand if your dysphagia foodservice meets your obligations of responsibility?

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is an executive non-departmental public body of the Department of Health and Social Care of the United Kingdom. It’s the CQC role to set out regulations and outcomes that are required in the sector. These are audited, to establish and promote good practice in the sector.

The following regulations and outcomes relate directly to dysphagia foodservice provision:

Regulation 9 Outcome 4: Care and Welfare of People Who Use Services

People experience effective, safe and appropriate care, treatment and support that meets their needs and protects their rights.

Regulation 14 Outcome 5: Meeting Nutritional Needs

People are encouraged and supported to have sufficient food and drink that is nutritional and balanced, and a choice of food and drink to meet their different needs.

Regulation 10 Outcome 16: Assessing and Monitoring the Quality of Service Provision

People benefit from safe, quality care because effective decisions are made and because of the management of risks to people’s health, welfare and safety.

Regulation 17 Outcome 1: Respecting and Involving People ho use services

People understand the care and treatment choices available to them. They can express their views and are involved in making decisions about their care. They have their privacy, dignity and independence respected, and have their views and experiences taken into account in the way in which the service is delivered.

Next Steps…

We know the challenges of operating care homes and supporting residents in care settings. Providing a high quality and safe dysphagia foodservice is part of a complex and challenging field. We can give your staff the skills and knowledge to do this effectively, improve the service and save money.

We provide excellent value online training for chefs and carers, widely used and recommended across the sector.

So contact us today and see for yourself how we can support your vision for a brighter future.