MAW2023 Collect and upload data Nov 9th to Dec 8th

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Please join November 8th webinar: Optimizing nutrition in renal patients: the challenge of complexity

Optimizing nutrition in renal patients: the challenge of complexity ESPEN-ERN Webinar Nov 8, 2023, 3-4 pm CEST Moderators: Giorgina Piccoli (France) and Tommy Cederholm (Sweden) Multifactorial pathways to malnutrition in kidney…

National Malnutrition Screening Survey – 9th November 2023

Malnutrition Awareness Week (MAW) takes place from 6 - 12th November 2023 IrSPEN and the INDI are joining with international colleagues from ESPEN to highlight the problem of malnutrition in our communities and in our hospitals. …
Professor Carel Le Roux
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Drugs just as good as bariatric surgery for diabetic kidney disease

A new study has shown that ongoing improvements in drug treatments for diabetes has made them just as effective as bariatric surgery for diabetic kidney disease. Up to now bariatric surgery was established as more effective than drug treatments…
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Diabetes drug can reduce weight by four stone in patients with obesity

New diabetes drug promises substantial control over diabetes and obesity A study on a new diabetes drug has found that it can help to reduce weight by up to four stone in 40% of patients with obesity. Obesity affects more than a million people…
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Surgery set to become a treatment option for type 2 diabetes in Ireland

A new HIQA report published this week (Tues, July 26) has concluded that surgery is not only safe but may be the most effective treatment for many patients with type 2 diabetes caused by obesity, based on a review of research from around the…
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New obesity drug found to cut body weight by 11%

Drug can reduce weight by two stone within six months A new obesity drug researched in Ireland has been found to cut body weight by 11%, and doctors are calling it a major breakthrough. The drug Cagrilintide works by increasing…

IrSPEN 2021 Award for Best Overall Research Project, BSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics (join Trinity-TU Dublin) programme

Alice Eaton (Bsc) has been awarded the prize for best overall research project 2021 for her final year project in the BSc Human Nutrition & Dietetics course 2020.  Alice Eaton is a CORU registered dietitian who graduated this year…
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Call for Over 70s to receive nutrition screening at flu vaccination

Routine nutrition screening recommended for 58,000 receiving Home Care support The introduction of nutritional screening as part of winter flu vaccination appointments for over 70s – has been recommended by nutrition experts. In its…
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Major Progress in Treatments Prompts Doctors to Redefine Diabetes Remission

A new international report has recognised the major progress in treating type 2 diabetes – and prompted a new medical definition of ‘diabetes remission’. In light of increasing numbers of patients achieving diabetes remission – the…

IrSPEN 2022 Pre-Budget Submission: Addressing the gaps in nutritional care for patients with high-risk conditions in community settings

In its submission, the Irish Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (IrSPEN), with the support of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI) focuses on three recommendations that have the potential to protect…

Specialist unit for Intestinal Failure badly needed in our health service

Consultant Gastroenterologist at St James’s Hospital and Irish Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (IrSPEN) Director Dr Cara Dunne sets out current services for Intestinal Failure in Ireland and the case for urgent development Intestinal…

Congratulations to our IrSPEN2021 Poster Winners

The IrSPEN Board is pleased to announce the IrSPEN2021 Poster Winners.  As expected, the standard of poster submissions this year was very high.  Our seven winners were selected based on a number of criteria, most important of…

Call to develop specialist unit for Intestinal Failure

HSE must reduce mortality among patients with intestinal failure Major National Conference taking place on Repositioning Nutrition in Healthcare A dedicated unit to treat and rehabilitate patients with Intestinal Failure is urgently needed,…
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Guide to using Malnutrition Risk Screening Tools

The purpose of this module is: To highlight the importance of identifying adults at risk of malnutrition and To provide step-by-step training on how to complete four validated tools for adults suitable for different healthcare settings.…
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Launching of two National Policies for Disability Services

Description Two National Policies for Disability Services will be launched via webinar on March 12, 2021. These are the: 1. Food, Nutrition and Hydration Policy for Adults Accessing Disability Services The purpose of this policy is…
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Reports of malnutrition in COVID patients on CPAP

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) that is delivered by face mask or hood is increasingly used in patients with COVID-19 who have been admitted to hospital, often on general or respiratory wards. Oral intake of food and drink…
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People with diabetes and obesity should be prioritised for COVID-19 vaccination

  Continuity of treatment for all patients with diabetes and obesity recommended as part of COVID-19 response People with diabetes and people with obesity should be prioritised for early COVID-19 vaccination, according to both Metabolic…

IrSPEN 2020 Award for Best Overall Research Project, BSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics (join Trinity-TU Dublin) programme

Aine Ryan (Bsc) has been awarded the prize for best overall research project 2020 for her final year project in the BSc Human Nutrition & Dietetics course 2020.  Áine Ryan is a CORU registered dietitian who graduated this…
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Surgery can free two thirds of patients with type 2 diabetes from use of insulin

Surgery more effective and cheaper than insulin for people with severe type 2 diabetes Surgery has been found to be more effective and cheaper than insulin for patients with type 2 diabetes – and can free the majority from future use of…
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Length of hospital stays can be shortened – with new standard for inpatient nutrition

Nutrition screening and treatments will help hospitalised Covid-19 patients Reducing inpatient malnutrition estimated to save 30,000 bed days and €24m per year 30,000 bed days and €24m can be saved across Irish public hospitals per…
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VIRTUAL LAUNCH: Dec 8th, 2020 13.45 Briefing and guidance on new National Clinical Guideline 22 for Hospital Nutrition

Don't miss out on an online briefing and guidance session on the new National Clinical Guideline (22) on hospital nutrition which is mandatory for all public hospitals.  The virtual event will be attended…
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Call on HSE to make proven Obesity Treatment available to public patients

Call on HSE to make proven Obesity Treatment available to public patients ‘Daily injection’ treatment protects patients with obesity against diabetes and possibly COVID-19 30/10/2020 – NHS approved to make obesity drug available to public…
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Urgent need for specialist unit for adults with intestinal failure

The management of adult severe intestinal failure and home parenteral nutrition urgently requires a national specialist centre, according to IrSPEN. Tara Horan reports A DEDICATED SPECIALIST intestinal rehabilitation unit for adults is urgently…

Malnutrition Awareness Week – October 5-9, 2020

Help reduce the incidence of malnutrition and improve patient outcomes by joining us on October 5-9 for ASPEN's Malnutrition Awareness Week™! Our 2020 program offers live CE and non-CE webinars, on-demand videos, and a wide…
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Call for Action Healthcare experts call to improve the nutritional care of cancer patients

On 21 September, during the ESPEN-ONCA-MNI Joint Session at ESPEN Virtual Congress 2020, cancer patients’ representatives, dietitians, cancer care givers and industry emphasised the importance of nutritional care during cancer…

RapidInfo4U – Have a query? Search our Repository.. Ask us a Question

Do you have a question related to Covid-19 in your clinical area (either directly related or as a result of practice change)? RapidInfo4U Healthcare Repository is an initiative aiming to implement an online rapid resource repository that…
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Coronavirus News: Guidelines for Nutrition support of COVID-19 patients

NEW DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE Many patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 admitted to ICU will require artificial nutrition support.  To provide help to those dealing with ventilated patients who need feeding, newly developed Guidelines…

Surgery can achieve 80% remission in patients with early Chronic Kidney Disease

Call to provide more surgical treatments to patients with Kidney Disease Ireland has been called on to offer more gastric surgery to people with kidney disease related to type 2 diabetes – as new research has shown 80% of patients can achieve…
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COVID-19: Obesity patients must not be ‘stigmatised’ in re-start of non-COVID health treatments

Doctors publish ‘triage plan’ for obesity and diabetes treatments post-COVID-19 Doctors have cautioned against patients with obesity being ‘stigmatised’, in the re-start of non-COVID health treatments. The Irish Society for Clinical…

Consultation on the Critical Care Programme’s ‘Intensive care nutrition support guideline algorithm for adults’

This is an update of the 2012/2013 algorithm and reference document. The objective of the nutrition support algorithm and guidance (see attached) is to assist and support the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) clinician and multidisciplinary…
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Nutrition screening to be introduced for all patients admitted to hospital

Treatment of malnutrition to be strengthened in hospitals New nutrition protocols of benefit to Covid-19 patients 30,000 bed days and €24m can be saved per year – as experts welcome new National Clinical Guideline Screening…

The National Clinical Programme in Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Guidance for Nutrition relating to COVID-19 Version 1.0 20th April 2020 Background It is important at this time that we continue to reinforce the importance of good nutritional care and the role it plays in defining both short-…
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VITAMIN D CAN HELP BUILD RESISTANCE TO RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS, INCLUDING COVID-19

VITAMIN D CAN HELP BUILD RESISTANCE TO RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS, INCLUDING COVID-19 Researchers from Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) and Trinity College Dublin (Trinity) have found that taking Vitamin D supplements may enhance resistance…

Healthy Eating for Cancer Survivors Cookbook

UCC in collaboration with Breakthrough Cancer Research are delighted to launch their latest free cookbook for cancer patients 'Healthy Eating for Cancer Survivors'. The book is a similar size to our previous cancer cookbooks and contains all…

In the SUSTAIN 7 study patients in Ireland and internationally had more improvements in blood sugar and bodyweight levels with semaglutide compared with dulaglutide

Despite common mechanisms of actions, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists differ in structure, pharmacokinetic profile, and clinical effects. This head-to-head trial compared semaglutide with dulaglutide in patients with inadequately…

Call to Action on World Obesity Day

Read full Call to Action document here

Press Release: New data shows 97% decrease in cost of diabetes medication after obesity surgery

IrSPEN (Irish Society for Clinical Nutrition & Metabolism), ASOI (Association for the Study of Obesity on the Island of Ireland) release new national data to highlight urgent need for national obesity treatment programme Dublin, 4th…

HAN (Home Artifical Nutrition) Awareness Week August 7th – 13th

PINNT (Patients on Intravenous and Naso-gastric Nutrition Therapy) is hosting its 5th Home Artificial Nutrition Awareness Week.  This is a week where hundreds of people receiving enteral and parenteral nutrition at home come together to…

Facing judgment: ‘I am going to be a doctor, and I am fat

Isabelle Lomax-Sawyers on what it’s like being overweight while studying metabolism at medical school. We're starting our "metabolism" module at med school this week, and I'm dreading it with every fibre of my being. You see, I am…

Ireland is carrying out less than one weight loss surgery a week

“The funding for more surgery just isn’t there. But there is the need and we’ve identified the need.” IRELAND IS CARRYING out less than one weight loss surgery a week, despite 92,500 adults qualifying for it. That is the finding…

‘We were staggering from one crisis to the next’ – Sorcha (20) on life with an extremely complicated medical condition

Science student Sorcha McElchar has an extremely complicated medical condition. But she tells Joy Orpen, she is leading a very full and productive life, thanks to her medical team and to recent advances in treatments. Having a chronic medical…

Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity in 195 Countries over 25 Years

BACKGROUND Although the rising pandemic of obesity has received major attention in many countries, the effects of this attention on trends and the disease burden of obesity remain uncertain. METHODS We analyzed data from 68.5 million…

A compassionate approach to obesity

Therese Coleman, Hilary Craig, Francis M Finucane, Carel W le Roux In order to effectively treat obesity, we need to understand its aetiology and pathophysiology. We consider body weight as a balance between energy taken in from our diet…