PrescQIPP

Optimising Person-centred Medicines through a Think Food Approach to Malnutrition in Care Settings (2025)

NHS Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin ICB

Project summary

The Optimising Person-centred Medicines through a Think Food Approach to Malnutrition in Care settings campaign is a project designed to transform malnutrition treatment in care settings by prioritising a real food-first approach. Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS) need not be the default solution; meals can be medicine.

Key Messages:

  • Malnutrition is common in care settings, yet food-based solutions are often underused.
  • ONS use continues to rise, sometimes without regular review or demonstrated long-term benefit.
  • Everyday food, tailored to the individual, can be equally effective and far more acceptable.

We aimed to promote a sustainable, person-centred approach by reducing inappropriate reliance on prescribed ONS and encouraging everyday food to improve health outcomes. Our project addressed the rising, often unmonitored use of ONS by embedding the Think Food approach across care settings, which included clear treatment goals and regular monitoring, to improve patient outcomes, reduce unnecessary prescribing, lower costs, and minimise medication waste.

Development of Support Materials:

  • Reviewed current prescribing and nutritional care pathways.
  • Created accessible food-first resources and training materials.
  • Evaluated impact across multiple care settings.

Campaign Objectives:

  • Embed the Think Food approach in everyday care practice.
  • Equip care staff with the tools and knowledge to treat malnutrition through meals.
  • Reserve ONS use for cases where clinically indicated, after food-first interventions.
  • Promote use of individual treatment goals with regular review.
  • Support nutrition that is person-centred, sustainable, and clinically appropriate.

Benefits:

  • Improved patient outcomes and experience.
  • Higher compliance and satisfaction compared to supplements.
  • Reduction in unnecessary prescribing.
  • Alignment with national policy, CQC guidance, and NHS values-based care.

Campaign Delivery

This multi-disciplinary initiative brought together care homes, PCN and practice dietitians, prescribers, and catering teams to deliver a cohesive, patient-centred solution. We developed a dedicated Think Food Pathway for care homes, supported by comprehensive training aligned with the local prescribing formulary and clinical needs, including diabetes management.
Four in-person training sessions were delivered by the team which included dietitians and featured fortified food demonstrations by one of our care home’s catering team, showcasing how enriched, appealing meals can meet nutritional needs.
The campaign boosted confidence and capability across teams, therefore embedding sustainable, evidence-based nutrition care — placing food, not supplements, at the heart of dignified, safe, and effective malnutrition treatment in care settings.