As you know the IDDSI www.iddsi.org has been adopted here in the UK. Created to simplify descriptions of thickened drinks and pureed foods, it provides a common language for patients, carers and healthcare professionals. 

Because it is so important, we invited one of the board members based here in the UK – Ben Hanson – to join us on our podcast Slõ Talk. The aim was to share with us its origins, what’s happening to raise awareness and hopes for the future.

It is for those of you who are familiar with IDDSI and those who are not?

We have found that Speech and Language Therapists, Dietitians and those working on wards are extremely comfortable using the IDDSI terminology. They also understand how that translates into preparing thickened drinks and texture modified meals.

However, outside of that sphere there are many healthcare professionals who are not dealing with dysphagia on a daily basis who need added support to understand it.

For example, we still answer questions from Doctors, Surgeries and Pharmacists. This lack of understanding has been confirmed by research by the UK branch of the IDDSI, which also adds Nursing Homes and care facilities as a large group which wants more information.

This latest Slõ Talk podcast is another tool that aims to help rectify this and so would you please pass this on to, Doctors, Surgeries, and care facilities you are working with.

More information is available from our site www.slodrinks.com and IDDSI’s www.issdi.org

In the meantime, to listen to this podcast just click here: Slõ Talk: Podcast with Ben Hanson.