Referral criteria
The service is for adults aged 18 and over who are registered with a Newcastle GP, where:
- Patient consents to referral to oral nutrition support service.
- Must score ≥2 with evidence of underlying physical cause which has not responded to first line guidance (see supporting resources section below).
- Lower must considered if: ‘dysphagia significantly impacting oral intake and weight loss’? e.g. MND or pressure damage Grade 3+.
Exclusion criteria
The team is small and in high demand, referrals are rejected in the following situations:
- Referrals from intermediate care teams which do not fund dietetics as part of their service.
- Out of area (does not have a Newcastle GP).
- Patient appropriate for 1st line advice but not given or implemented (see supporting resources section below).
- Eating disorders, ARFID, ADHD – consider referral to appropriate mental health services or signpost to Eating Distress North East.
- Stable patients (lower nutritional risk or have completed previous dietetic intervention). We are unable to provide routine, longer term review of patients prescribed nutritional supplements.
- Patient has unstable mental health condition, active alcohol and substance misuse (if underlying cause of malnutrition, patient should be referred to and be engaging in appropriate services to support)
We suggest health professionals follow the below local pathway when considering a referral.
Newcastle malnutrition management pathway
NENC ICB guidelines on the management of malnutrition and prescribing of oral nutrition supplements.
Referral and contact information
GPs can refer to the service via the existing e-referral System (e-RS)
Supporting resources
If the person has a medical condition e.g diabetes, food allergies or issues with swallowing requiring special dietary advice, the information in these leaflets may not be appropriate.
BAPEN: Guidance on nutritional screening
Eating Disorders, ARFID, ADHD-
Consider referral to appropriate mental health services or signpost to Eating Distress North East
Food-based first line advice for patients
- Small and often, high calorie diet guide, for people with a poor appetite and unplanned weight loss
- Guide for patients with COPD and experiencing poor appetite and unplanned weight loss
Guidance for care homes
Guide on good nutritional care in care homes
Care home digest – Menu planning and food service guidelines for care homes
