WITH warmer weather on the way, health chiefs are urging people living in Ludlow and south Shropshire to recognise the need to keep properly hydrated.

Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group is encouraging people to think about the importance of staying hydrated and well nourished.

In the UK it is estimated that up to 100,000 deaths are associated with acute kidney injury of which up to a third could be avoided by simply staying hydrated. Similarly, at least three million people in the UK are malnourished with malnourished adults accounting for 30% of hospital admissions and 35% of care home admissions.

To raise awareness the Clinical Commissioning Group has formed a local health economy group which have developed a range of materials to promote key proactive and preventative messages which have been distributed to all local care homes to support this initiative.

The best way to keep hydrated is to drink little and often to keep fluid levels high and water is best because beverages like tea and coffee can lead to dehydration.

People should drink before they start to feel thirsty as this can be an indication that they are already dehydrated.