"Hospital Stays Made Safe"

GIG Offers an Online Dietary Guide

I continue to feel that "there ought to be a law" when it comes to providing medically appropriate food to people in institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons. It just seems to be common sense that people on medical gluten-free diets receive gluten-free food in medical institutions—or anywhere else where they have little or no ability to control food procurement or preparation.

So far there's no such law, but at least the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) recognizes the problem. As has been reported, including Nancy Lapid's Celiac Disease Blog, GIG recently created an online guide called Hospital Stays Made Safe [PDF]. It's not a cure-all, but at least it's a step in the right direction.

And it's one of numerous online publications offered by GIG. Check 'em out!

For an idea of what we're up against, here's a glimpse of some "normal" hospital food. (The footage comes from across the proverbial pond, where Prince Charles and Coeliac UK have also advocated on behalf of hospital patients.)



Source (00:35)

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE POND

I've noticed some interesting news from the United Kingdom, where the Queen's subjects waste much time spelling celiac as coeliac.

I know. I know. I shouldn't let this spelling issue distract me from sharing the news that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) now advises that patients suspected of having Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) should be tested for celiac disease (or something called "coeliac disease") as part of the diagnostic process. This blog has repeatedly noted that celiac disease can be mistaken for IBS.

This item mentions the NICE guideline and also draws attention to a home screening test for celiac disease, available in the UK, that has been measured to be 96% accurate. It advises users to consult with physicians to confirm the diagnosis.

In another development, Coeliac UK is working with the Hospital Caterers Association "to improve its provision of gluten-free meals." Coeliac UK, which kicked off its Awareness Week "Food Without Fear" campaign today, produced a Coeliac UK Toolkit to provide guidance to food providers in venues such as schools, hotels, airlines, and restaurants as well as hospitals. It has also launched a competition throughout the UK "to create an innovative gluten-free dish," as this item this item puts it. Here's more on the subject.

Jolly good news, don't you agree?