Hundreds #diagnosed with #malnutrition in #Wales amid anger over dependence on #foodbanks @CPAGUK @EAPNEurope #Doctors have diagnosed hundreds of patients in Wales with malnutrition, amid anger about soaring dependence on foodbanks. The statistics show patients have even been treated for cases of “#severe acute malnutrition” normally associated with the developing world. #Malnourished #babies and #children are among more than 1,200 malnutrition cases diagnosed since 2007/08 with rates in Wales’ worst affected area jumping by a staggering 1,400%. Many of the 1,229 recorded cases have involved patients being admitted to #hospital for treatment while the true tally is likely to be even higher after two health boards refused to provide data on diagnoses in response to our freedom of information request. Experts described the situation as “#disgraceful” and said the figures were “the tip of the iceberg” – adding that parents were often skipping meals to ensure their children can eat. Data obtained by us shows at least 1,229 patients in Wales have been diagnosed with malnutrition since 2007/08 – an average of 175 cases per year. The greatest number of cases were diagnosed by doctors at Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board where a total of 735 patients were treated – more than three times as many incidents as the health board with the second-highest rate. Hywel Dda Health Board, where a total of 222 patients were treated in hospital for malnutrition, saw the greatest increase in cases during the period. The rate leapt from just three diagnoses in 2007/08 to a high of 46 in 2013/14 – a jump of more than 1,400%. There were 206 admissions to hospital for malnutrition recorded by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board though the figures relate to 157 patients after some were admitted more than once. Cwm Taf NHS Trust University Health Board has recorded 40 cases since it was formed in October 2009. In its response the board said it had provided information covering conditions including marasmic kwashiorkor – defined by children’s rights organisation Unicef as a form of “severe acute malnutrition” – and “unspecified severe protein-energy malnutrition”. Doctors at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have treated 24 patients since 2009/10. Archbishop of Wales Dr Barry Morgan said: “It is incredible that in a prosperous country like ours, where we are told the economy is improving and house prices are rising, nearly a million people feel the need to visit foodbanks to feed their families.”
Posted on: Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:17:28 +0000
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