We started supporting Maria* at the end of August 2022.

Service records from the outgoing provider showed that in 15 months, her weight had dropped from 6 stone 12 pounds to just 5 stone.

Our staff were deeply concerned that nothing had been done before to address this dramatic weight loss, particularly as her low BMI meant she would struggle to fight off infections and seasonal illnesses. She was also severely dehydrated and constipated.

They also found out that no referrals had been made for her to see any dietary specialists, and there was no up-to-date eating and drinking guidance for her.

The team quickly began to get lots of different health and social care professionals involved in Maria’s care, in order to get her medically well again.

“We immediately had lots of alarm bells,” said Area Manager, Catherine Taylor. “She went into hospital, after quite a lot of badgering medical professionals to take us seriously, and by this point we had some information back so we knew that she needed to be on a particular modified diet.”

Losing her hospital passport

Maria was put on a drip for fluids and nutrients whilst she was in hospital, but this was only for a short time:

“Then we had days where there was almost a battle between us and the hospital around who had responsibility for her eating and drinking while she was in hospital,” said Catherine.

After a few days, it became evident to staff that there wasn’t anyone supporting Maria in hospital with eating and drinking:

They also didn’t understand that she needed to be upright to be in a safe eating position.

Our Manchester team raised numerous safeguarding concerns about Maria’s SALT plan and hospital passport not being followed. This led to a meeting, where it was agreed with the hospital that it would be safer for Maria to be discharged home, where United Response staff could support her with her eating and drinking.

Team Manager Sue Howells said:

It happens to a lot of people we support; they don’t have a very good experience, especially when their hospital passports go missing.

I think half the problem is nurses not understanding learning disabilities. I think if our staff weren’t there supporting Maria she probably wouldn’t have eaten or drank anything or would have eaten the wrong thing.

It was really quite frightening – we had to fight her corner for her.

Getting the right support at home

Since she’s been back at home, staff have worked with various healthcare professionals on a new SALT plan for Maria. She’s on a pureed diet and gets some of her meals from Wiltshire Farm Foods, as well as having Ensure drinks which are packed with fortified iron and calories.

Sue said:

She’s obviously not a big eater but she’s eating and drinking really well at the moment.

We found the food that she liked, in a way that she could have it where it was comfortable for her to eat. I think she’s getting her appetite back because she taking on a broader variety of food.

She’s put lots of weight back on. She’s really healthy.

Maria has also had a full medical review with a learning disability nurse and they’re investigating to see if there’s any physical reason why she was avoiding food before, for example, pain when swallowing.

Sue explained how much stronger Maria has been physically since getting the right eating and drinking support:

She’s doing amazing. When I first came here, she was being hoisted, now she uses a Molift where she pulls herself up and weight bears, so she’s coming along brilliantly.

Staff have also had fantastic feedback from her local authority social worker.

Since she’s been better, Maria has really enjoyed going out for coffee and visiting garden centres. She also loves music and has recently been to see a pantomime.

*Name has been changed to protect the person’s identity.

Could you join our amazing staff team in Manchester, supporting people like Maria to live happy, healthy, independent lives?

Find out more about careers at United Response here.

This content is part of a series of hospital stories – read more here.

  • Jenna Lloyd is Senior Content Officer for United Response.