We’re collaborating with the Department of Health and Aged Care to deliver a free national Menu and Mealtime Review Program for residential aged care services. The program will include independent feedback and recommendations from Accredited Practising Dietitians specific to each service.

The program:

• is completely free and confidential
• is conducted on-site by an Accredited Practising Dietitian
• provides customised feedback and recommendations.

The on-site menu and mealtime review provided by the Accredited Practising Dietitian will include:

• introductory meetings with management staff
• evaluation of the menu
• assessment of the dining environment and mealtime experience including how well it supports residents to eat and drink safely and happily (enjoyment)
• review of documents describing delivery of good food, nutrition and dining
• a written report and feedback meeting to support continuous improvement.

All menu and mealtime review reports will remain confidential to the approved provider, the residential aged care service and the assessing Dietitian.

A short summary report will be completed by the attending Accredited Practising Dietitian and provided to the Department of Health and Aged Care to be used for policy development purposes only.

Eligibility for this program is limited to residential aged care services.  The program will prioritise nominations for:

• aged care services in small rural towns, remote communities and very remote communities
• residential services under the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program
• smaller services (with 60 or less residents)
• services with a score lower than 3 on the Residents’ Experience Survey question, ‘Do you like the food here?’.

Expressions of interest will close on Friday 10 May 2024.

For more information or to express your interest please visit our Menu and Mealtime Review page.