From 27 January 2025, the way oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are prescribed to patients in Staffordshire and Soke-on-Trent will be changing; impacting communities and patients who visit UHDB but have a Staffordshire GP.
ONS are commercially produced medicinal products that you can buy over the counter from a community pharmacy or get on prescription. They are used in addition to a fortified diet (adding extra calories to your food and drinks) and give you more nutrients to improve your health if you are malnourished or have a reduced appetite.
We want people to be able to enjoy the food and drinks that they enjoy, instead of relying on supplements. Evidence tells us that supplements are only useful for certain clinical conditions. GP's are being asked to stop prescribing these supplements to adults aged 18 and over in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, because the same clinical results could be achieved by using normal food and drink. This means that GPs can only prescribe them to you if they have referred you to a dietitian, and the dietitian has assessed and agreed that you would benefit from having a supplement.
If your loved one is receiving end of life/palliative care, we want them to also to be able to enjoy the foods and drinks they enjoy, instead of them having to take supplement drinks.
This change is only for patients over 18 years of age, who would have supplements to drink. Please note that this policy change does not affect people who have a feeding tube or children and young people under 18 years of age.
Access recipe sheets to make fortified and nutritious meals at home and access FAQs about this change >.
If you have any questions, queries or complaints, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on freephone 0808 196 8861 or via email PatientServices@staffsstoke.icb.nhs.uk.
