Referral Criteria for referring a care home resident needing nutritional support In North Kirklees. Referral to Dietetic Services Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust.
- The individual must reside in a care home within North Kirklees.
- The individual is HIGH RISK of undernutrition (MUST score of 2 and above) AND continues to lose weight despite the care home implementing the ‘HIGH RISK’ FOOD FIRST ACTION PLAN for at least 4 WEEKS, which includes:
- A fortified diet – ALL the resident’s meals and puddings are fortified
- At least two nourishing snacks each day
- At least two homemade supplements each day
- or the individual has a pressure ulcer category 3 or above
We will not accept a referral if:
- The individual is low or moderate risk of undernutrition (MUST score of 0 or 1). If a MUST score of 1 - implement the ‘Medium Risk’ Food First action plan, keep a food and fluid intake chart and repeat MUST screening monthly.
- The individual is high risk of undernutrition (MUST score of 2), has had previous dietitian input, BUT their weight is stable or increasing on the ‘high risk’ food first action plan - continue to implement the ‘High Risk’ Food First Action plan, keep a food and fluid intake chart and repeat MUST screening monthly.
- The resident is actively dying e.g., a general deterioration, an ongoing pattern of little interest in eating and drinking with no reversible cause and is asleep more than awake. The resident may have anticipatory medication prescribed. Please discuss with the GP at the weekly Home Round their ongoing plan of care. Please refer to the Eating and Drinking at End of Life
Please consider if the resident has recently commenced diuretics and if the weight loss is due to a reduction of fluid retention before proceeding with this referral.
If there are any residents’ you are unsure about and would like to discuss a referral with the dietitian, please ring Mid Yorkshire Dietitians on 01924 816046.
You will be asked to attach the following documents when making the referral:
- A detailed 3-day food and fluid chart with meals, snacks and drinks recorded
- The resident’s nutrition support plan (with start date documented) which outlines what food first actions have been put in place.
Please be aware the community nutrition support dietitians are offering their service via telephone and remote digital consultations.
