The NHS Core Learning Unit's long awaited 'Food, Nutrition and Hydration for health and social care' programme has recently been launched. NHS South Central are the designated sponsor for promoting this programme and we have begun to do so through the SHA's nutrition 'no needless hunger or thirst' workstream.I attended the first Education and Engagement group set up to progress this workstream yesterday. A very engaging and productive session chaired by Gillian Prager, Director of Clinical Standards & Engagement at Milton Keynes PCT, and attended by dietitians (must spell it correctly, else I may offend!! LOL), nutritionists, speech and language therapists and others keen to see the topic of nutrition raised up the agenda.This is an emotive topic for me personally. The importance of ensuring patients are adequately fed and watered should surely be central to their care and ensuring a speedy recovery. I am really very pleased to be part of this group, despite my contribution being small.The group formed some high-level objectives, one of which I will be helping to contribute to:

• All carers (paid/unpaid) will have mandatory nutrition education and training.