A Harpenden care home has received a gold accreditation for nutritional care.

Rosebury House, on Rosebery Avenue, is a privately owned care home with just 14 residents.

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The accreditation was awarded the Nutrition Awareness Service, delivered by Hertfordshire Independent Living Service (HILS) in partnership with the Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust.

To achieve the accreditation, an in-depth assessment took place last year, initially resulting in a silver award.

However, after reviewing its practices and providing additional training to staff, the home was upgraded to gold.

Rosebury House manager Sarah Nieberg said: “We are honoured at Rosebery House to be awarded gold accreditation for appropriate nutrition support to residents.

"The whole team are extremely aware of the importance of good nutrition for the elderly, and work hard to achieve this, presenting appetising, well-balanced meals and snacks, meeting each individuals' dietary requirements.

"Using the MUST score toolkit, we monitor the risk of malnutrition and act accordingly when risk is found.

"The support, advice and training provided by the Nutrition Awareness Team at HILS has been invaluable, we would not have achieved the award without them. Thank you!”

HILS chief executive Sarah Wren added: "We are so impressed by everything Rosebury House has achieved and are thrilled to have supported them on the road to success. Sadly, malnutrition among older people is widely underreported and can often go unnoticed, despite its potentially devastating consequences to a person’s health and quality of life.

"With the support of Hertfordshire Community Trust colleagues, our team works with hundreds of care home staff every year to develop the skills and working practices that will help them achieve the best possible outcomes for the people in their care.

"It takes effort and dedication to achieve this exceptionally high standard, warmest congratulations to all involved.”

Lastly Elliot Howard-Jones, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust’s CEO, commented: "As a trust we are very proud to work alongside HILS in care homes across Hertfordshire.

"Our nutrition and dietetic service consists of dietitians and dietetic assistants plus nutrition support workers.

"Not only do they provide specialist support for older people and their families with nutrition and wellbeing concerns, but also important training to staff in care homes such as Rosebury House.

"Gaining this gold accreditation is a fantastic achievement and will ensure the continued health and wellbeing of the residents.

"Together with HILS, our trust welcomes any care homes across Hertfordshire to contact us for further details around accreditation and the importance of delivering good, nutritious food to the elderly, especially during the cold winter months.”