This national framework provides a common terminology to describe food textures and drink thickness.

It is person-centred and can be used across all age ranges and cultures.

It is key to improving safety for patients with swallowing difficulties ⬇️

#SwallowAware2024 #NHWeek

📢 Key takeaways

Patients – tell us if you have any difficulties with swallowing. Our teams can support you.

Visitors – tell us if you want to bring in food or drinks to a patient you are visiting. We will let you know what is suitable ➡️ imperial.nhs.uk/patients-and-v…

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Thank you to all our staff caring for patients with swallowing difficulties - it takes a TEAM! Chris Flatt Eileen walshe Tarni Davies Shona maxwell Anne Kinderlerer Fiona Brown Marianne McGrath Dr Gemma Clunie

Meet Edna the wonderful ward host who keeps patients safe Chris Flatt Eileen walshe Tarni Davies Shona maxwell Fiona Brown Marianne McGrath Diane Benefer 💙 Annette Rugyendo RD

Jonathan also ensures that one of the healthcare support workers is available to help Betty when she eats and drinks, and to remind her to use her personalised safe swallowing strategies.

#SwallowAware2024

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Meet nurse in charge Jonathan on Betty’s ward

Georgina and Dr Fayez agree that Betty shouldn’t eat and drink until she is assessed by a specialist, so they refer her to the speech and language therapy team.

Betty agrees to Georgina putting in a short-term feeding tube so that she can receive liquid food and drink.

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Meet nurse Georgina Chris Flatt Tarni Davies Eileen walshe Shona maxwell Anne Kinderlerer Fiona Brown Marianne McGrath

Dr Fayez asks his nursing colleague to complete a swallow screen before giving Betty anything to eat or drink.

The doctor makes a note to speak to the pharmacist so that Betty can be given her medications in the right way.

#SwallowAware2024 [2/2]

Meet Dr Fayez Chris Flatt Tarni Davies Eileen walshe Shona maxwell Anne Kinderlerer Fiona Brown Marianne McGrath

Betty's fall disrupted the muscles which are responsible for stopping things ‘going down the wrong way’ into her lungs when she eats and drinks.

Stay tuned to discover how our staff came together to care for Betty.

#SwallowAware2024

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Follow Betty’s swallowing story Chris Flatt Tarni Davies Eileen walshe Shona maxwell Anne Kinderlerer Fiona Brown Dr Gemma Clunie Marianne McGrath

Be sure to seek advice from your speech and language therapist when considering the use of thickened fluids for drinking or swallowing difficulties.

Imperial NHS 💙, our staff are here to help you make informed decisions when caring for loved ones.

#SwallowAware2024 [2/2]

What can help patients with swallowing difficulties?

- Exercises to improve the timing, strength and coordination muscles used to swallow
- Making changes to what you eat and drink, such as softer foods and using thickener in drinks
- Using special spoons, plates and cups

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Some common symptoms of swallowing difficulties Chris Flatt Tarni Davies Eileen walshe Anne Kinderlerer Fiona Brown Marianne McGrath Dr Gemma Clunie Annette Rugyendo RD

Swallowing awareness day 👀👇Chris Flatt Tarni Davies Eileen walshe Shona maxwell Anne Kinderlerer Fiona Brown Marianne McGrath Dr Gemma Clunie

There's now 5,844 signatures on Mikey's Wish's #InvestInSLT petition. 58% of the way to a Government response! 🎉 And we're still on the petitions homepage, alongside the #YesToDignity #AssistedDying petition. Can we reach 6,000 this evening? 🤞🏿🤞🤞🏾
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/6579…

Join us!

Tomorrow is Swallowing Awareness Day – tune into Imperial NHS 💙 for a special takeover with our Speech and Language Therapy teams.

We will showcase how our staff support patients with swallowing difficulties.

#SwallowAware2024 #NHWeek RCSLT 💙 N&H Week

The Diet Status Sheet is central to keeping patients safe at mealtimes because it is how clinical teams communicate with the ward host and ensure patients receive the correct nutrition support for their recovery.

#NHWeek2024 British Dietetic Association Imperial People 💙 BDA Food Services

Our Nutrition & Hydration at Mealtimes Policy sets out how we keep patients safe while eating and drinking, this involves managing food allergies and swallowing difficulties.

#NHWeek2024 #foodallergy #dysphagia British Dietetic Association Imperial People 💙 BDA Food Services