Group calls for compulsory malnutrition screening in hospitals

The problem of under-nourished patients in Dublin hospitals is being ignored, according to the Irish Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism.

They are launching a document, "Every patient deserves good nutritional care", which recommends how to eliminate malnutrition in older and chronically sick patients.

The report will be used as an opportunity to establish a "malnutrition alliance" with patient organisations.

Niamh Rice, spokesperson for the Irish society for clinical nutrition and metabolism, said screening for malnutrition should be mandatory in hospitals.