Adult Nutrition Support FAQs

Oviva is a leading provider of NHS services, combining the support of dietitians, diabetes specialist nurses, health coaches and psychologists with technology to make healthcare more convenient and accessible to all.

We blend behaviour change therapy with our unique technology and incredible team to support people to improve their health and better manage their conditions. We partner exclusively with the NHS to offer our programmes across the UK to participants for free. To put it simply, we help people lead healthier and happier lives.

The Adult Nutrition Support programme aims to drive sustainable savings from the prescribing of specialist adult oral nutrition supplements (ONS) products in primary care. The service has been shown to improve the quality of care of patients at high risk of malnutrition residing in care homes and in primary care.

Those enrolled in the programme receive an initial consultation with a dietitian to explain what happens on the programme, decide what they would like to achieve during the following 12 weeks and create a personalised plan together to meet these goals.

During the programme participants will have follow up phone calls or app messaging with their dietitian, who will ensure they are on track and making progress, and answer any questions they may have.

To help you meet their nutritional goals, the dietitian will share useful written information with participants over the app, which is accessible at any time. Once the 12 week programme has ended participants can continue to use the app to keep track of their food and weight. They will also still have access to any written content so they can revisit anything they need.

At the end of the programme the participant will be discharged back to their GP with the appropriate care plan.

After confirming eligibility and discussing the service with your patient, please complete the referral form embedded into your clinical system and send it to the email provided on the form.

Patients can’t self-refer to Oviva Adult Nutrition Support.

If a participant does not have a smartphone or would prefer not to use one, they can have all appointments via telephone calls. The app is not compulsory and they can benefit from the service without using the app if preferred, although we encourage all participants to download the app to have the best possible experience of the service. The dietitian will share all resources in a way that works with the patient.

Inclusion

• Patients with a current prescription for an oral nutritional supplement (ONS) and suitable for a remote review
• Patients with a high risk of malnutrition e.g. Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) Score of 2 or above
• Patients ≥ 18 years
• Patients registered with a GP practice within contract ICB

Exclusion

• Patients requiring a face-to-face review
• Patients receiving enteral feeding (NG/NJ/PEG feeding)
• Patients < 18 years

Oviva Adult Nutrition Support is a 12 week programme.

Service evaluation implementing a 12-week dietetic pathway for care home patients and education for care home staff (BAPEN 2019).

• 60% estimated saving on current ONS spend
• Significant increase in care staff confidence with MUST Screening and implementation of ‘Food First advice’
• GPs and Carers feedback – 9.1/10 value of dietitian input
• Incidence of infections, falls, pressure sores declined

A service evaluation on the impact of a rapid access clinic in care homes (ESPEN 2022) showing evidence of:

• Care home patients seen quickly and effectively
• Reduction in infections, falls pressure sores and infections
• Positive feedback from staff and GPs

All Oviva dietitians are registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council and our nutritionists are AfN registered. All members of the team undergo regular quality assurance reviews and receive regular training from our Lead Dietitians and Psychologist.