Burstow: Lewis' malnutrition "campaign" nothing but empty promises

2.42.46pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 23rd Jan 2007

Paul Burstow, Chair of the All Party Group on Older People, has said that today's announcement by Health Minister Ivan Lewis of a 'campaign' to combat malnutrition among the elderly, is nothing but "empty promises".

In recent years, Mr Burstow has led efforts to raise awareness of malnutrition in care homes. He has introduced draft legislation, raised the issue in debate and met with Ministers in an effort to stimulate government action.

In the first half of 2006 Mr Burstow wrote to Mr Lewis himself, to outline his concerns about the problem, but received only a cursory reply.

Commenting on the announcement, Paul Burstow MP said:

"The empty promises of this Minister will do nothing to fill the empty stomachs of frail elderly people in too many of our care homes.

"It is a national scandal that despite the evidence that as many as one in ten care home residents lose 10% of their body weight six months after being admitted to their care home, this government has stood by and failed to act."

"What is required are tough nutrition standards, effective training and consistent inspection backed up by a drive to win the hearts and minds of care home managers and staff."

"Food is the stuff of life, it is the stuff of the quality of life too."

"It is shameful that it has taken so long for this government to realise this simple fact."