Vegetarian for Life and the Care Inspectorate have collaborated on new guidance on good care for vegans and vegetarians.
The self-evaluation tool and guidance, based on the Scottish Government’s Health and Social Care Standards, are intended be useful for care inspectors and for care services looking for best practice points.
Key areas covered by the new resource include the extent to which people experience:
- Care and support based on relevant evidence, guidance, best practice and standards; in particular, the Health and Social Care Standards.
- Food and drink that meets their needs and individual preferences.
- A positive attitude from others towards their vegetarian or vegan identity.
Heather Edwards, allied health professions consultant at the Care Inspectorate, said: “The Care Inspectorate’s Health and Social Care Improvement Team has been delighted to work with Vegetarian for Life on this resource.
“The quality illustration gives a clear guide to service providers and their staff on what good care looks like for people who are vegan and vegetarian experiencing care to meet their dietary and lifestyle needs. This tool is a great way to help a service self-evaluate their care and support for vegans and vegetarians and make any identified improvements.”
Dr Kim Stringer, Vegetarian for Life’s director (Scotland) added: “Veganism or vegetarianism can be a large part of someone’s identity and more than just their diet. A vegan or vegetarian may have lived this way for decades of their life 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 and guidance 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.”
