Malnutrition in older people is a serious issue and must be addressed in order for people to live full and healthy lives, according to South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth.

This week is Malnutrition Awareness Week and Colin Smyth recently met with the representatives from Food Train in the Scottish Parliament to help highlight the issue.

According to the charity, concerning numbers of older people across Scotland are malnourished – or at risk of malnutrition. Official figures estimate that number as at least one in 10, however, research for Food Train suggests that those numbers could in fact be higher.

Colin Smyth is currently working to bring forward a members’ bill to create a dedicated commissioner for older people in Scotland.

A commissioner would ensure the voices of people in later life are heard, with the power to hold public bodies to account and take up issues on behalf of older people including carrying out inquiries into the adequacy of services for older people. The independent commissioner would also have a key role to tackle age discrimination and ageism across Scottish society.

At present children and young people have standalone commissioners in each of the four nations of the UK, including Scotland, while Wales and Northern Ireland have commissioners for the older people. Colin Smyth plans to bring forward a bill to create a similar post for Scotland.

Colin Smyth said: “Malnutrition in older people is a serious issue and I’m keen to do all I can to raise awareness, so it was really valuable to be able to meet with Food Train in the Scottish Parliament.

“Every day, the charity supports people in later life across Scotland through their fantastic work.

“Speaking to them also brings into sharp relief the need for an Older People’s Commissioner – it’s not just about standing up for the rights, services and care of older people, it’s about challenging the negative stereotypes of ageing and celebrating the immense positive contribution of those in later life.

“Many of the volunteers at Food Train are older people themselves and we need to highlight the role people in later life play in our communities, which would be an important part of the job for my proposed Commissioner.

“We have an Older People’s Commissioners in Wales and Northern Ireland doing a great job, and a big campaign for one in England. Why should older people in Scotland be any different?

“An Older People’s Commissioner would be the independent voice, championing the rights of older people that was missing during the pandemic.”