Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland marked Swallow Awareness Day with events to improve mealtimes for people facing eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia.

The Southern Trust's Care Home Support Team and Dysphagia Support Team hosted an engagement event for chefs, cooks, catering staff and care home managers. The session covered ways to prepare safe, nutritious texture-modified meals and snacks. Dietitians, speech and language therapists and specialist chefs provided guidance on nutrition, hydration, food fortification and enjoyable dining for older residents.

Grace Hamilton, Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery, AHPs, Infection Prevention and Control and Functional Support Services at the Southern Trust, stated that care homes and supported living services support vulnerable community members. She noted that collaboration between clinical teams and catering staff ensures meals stay safe, nutritious and enjoyable for those with dysphagia.

In the Western Trust, speech and language therapists raised awareness ahead of Swallow Awareness Day on 18 March 2026. Eileen Tomany, Dysphagia Coordinator at South West Acute Hospital, explained that such difficulties stem from neurological disorders, strokes or throat and oesophagus issues, posing risks during eating and drinking.

Therapists in the Western Trust will staff information stands at Altnagelvin Hospital on 18 March and South West Acute Hospital on 19 March to offer advice on dysphagia.

Staff in care homes and supported living prepare modified diets, drinks and snacks for residents. The events enabled sharing of ideas and learning from clinical specialists to enhance safety and quality of life.