A recent campaign to raise awareness of hydration  is being hailed as a success, receiving positive feedback from local people and clinicians alike.

Every Drop Every Cup Every Bite Counts campaign was co-designed by system partners across Dorset Integrated Care System (ICS).

This is currently piloted in Dorset hospitals and care homes, aiming to improve hydration amongst inpatients and residents. A range of resources were developed to educate people on the benefits of staying hydrated and how they can maintain their hydration levels as part of their normal routine.

Infection Prevention and Control Lead Specialist Nurse with NHS Dorset Tina Arnold explains “The aim of this improvement campaign is to promote good hydration amongst people for day-to-day health. We know that hydration has numerous benefits, ranging from removing toxins to preventing infections and therefore is critical to our health. Making hydration fun by introducing a variety of options, can make a huge difference.

“We have been piloting it now for two months and I am thrilled with the results and the feedback we have received not just from the patients, residents and staff, but their relatives too.

“I think there is a presumption that people keep hydrated but there are many factors that may stop people from taking on enough fluids whilst in care whether this be by drinking or in the food they eat. This campaign helps to highlight the importance of being properly hydrated and hopefully overcomes some perceived barriers”.

Part of the campaign asks people ‘how do you like your cuppa?’ focussing on the importance of offering hot drinks to people in care settings, exactly as they would have them at home.

This follows feedback from clinical staff that people who are in hospital may be refusing drinks that are not to their liking. The campaign also has a social aspect, as prompting discussions around how someone likes their drink often kick-starts wider conversations.

​​​​​​​For more information on the importance of hydration please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dehydration/