Guidelines
The guidelines below have been developed to support primary care clinicians in the diagnosis of malnutrition and appropriate prescription of oral nutritional supplements (ONS). These guidelines aim to help support clinically effective and best medicines value prescribing.
The identification, treatment and management of malnutrition in adults, including the appropriate prescribing of oral nutrition supplements
- SEL Malnutrition and ONS Prescribing – Full Guideline
- SEL Malnutrition and ONS Prescribing – Summary Document
Supporting Algorithms
- Algorithm 1: Primary care clinician pathway for assessing and managing malnutrition risk
- Algorithm 2: Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) prescribing algorithm for primary care clinicians
- Algorithm 3: Primary care clinician algorithm for reviewing and discontinuing ONS
- Algorithm 4: Nutritional management guidelines in Care Homes
Product guidance
In conjunction with the above guidelines, a preferred list of ONS has been devised. The traffic light status should help to support appropriate prescribing. Green status indicating preferred products to prescribe, amber second line options and red status identifying products that should only be prescribed under specialist, dietetic advice where a green or amber status product is not suitable.
- Guide 1: Extended Product Reference Guide ONS
- Guide 2: GP Quick Reference Guide for Prescribing ONS
- Guide 3: GP Quick Reference Guide for Changing ONS prescriptions
- Guide 4: Retail ONS and High Energy & Protein Foods
Clinician resources
The following resources can support clinicians in diagnosing and assessing malnutrition risk.
- BAPEN: Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool – MUST
- Nutrition Checklist
- Assessing the Underlying Causes of Malnutrition
Patient resources
The following resources can be used to support patients with food-based dietary intervention
- Food Fortification for Patients at Medium and High Risk of Malnutrition
- Food First: Plant-Based, Vegan and Vegetarian Diets
- Food First: How to Make Nourishing Drinks, Sides, Dessert and Porridge
- 300kcal Boosters (diet sheet)
Local dietetic teams
Please use the below referral forms to refer to your local borough dietetic service
- SEL Community Dietetic Service Contact and Referral Details
- Bexley Community Dietitian Referral Form
- Bromley Community Dietitian Referral Form
- Greenwich Community Dietitian Referral Form
- Lambeth & Southwark Community Dietitian Referral Form
- Lewisham Community Dietitian Referral Form
- St Christopher’s Hospice (covers Lewisham, Bromley and most of Lambeth and Southwark)
