Improving the quality of care for vegans and vegetarians
Vegetarian for Life and the Care Inspectorate have collaborated to produce a self-evaluation tool that helps care-givers to meet the needs of those following plant-based diets
New guidance on what constitutes good care for vegans and vegetarians has been produced through a collaboration with Vegetarian for Life and the Care Inspectorate. Based on the Scottish Government’s Health and Social Care Standards, Good care for vegetarians and vegans takes the form of a self-evaluation tool.
The standards set out what people should expect when using health, social care or social work services in Scotland and have been developed to ensure that every person is treated with respect and that their dignity and human rights are upheld.
Heather Edwards, Allied Health Professions consultant at the Care Inspectorate, explains: “The Care Inspectorate’s Health and Social Care Improvement team has been delighted to collaborate with Vegetarian for Life on this resource.
The quality illustration serves as a clear guide for service providers and their staff as to what good care looks like for people following plant-based diets and how their dietary and lifestyle needs can be met. This tool is a great way to help a service evaluate their care and support for vegans and vegetarians and make any necessary improvements.”
Dr Kim Stringer, Vegetarian for Life’s Director (Scotland) adds: “Veganism or vegetarianism can form a large part of someone’s identity and extend much further than just mere dietary needs. A vegan or vegetarian may have lived this way for decades and their right to follow dietary practice in line with religious or philosophical beliefs is fundamental and enshrined in law.
“Sometimes people are unclear what vegans or vegetarians do or don’t eat, or how best to ensure that their nutritional needs are met. This clear and concise self-evaluation tool is intended to enable care services to provide good care for vegans and vegetarians and to provide inspectors with information that will help during their inspections.”
The resource is now available on the Care Inspectorate’s website.
To link to the webinar co-hosted by The Care Inspectorate and Vegetarian for Life, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVdBC3ca99U&list=PLbGUgyQIJfFg2_mTL8Anhx_r1VJuf8AcE&index=1
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