An updated CQUIN to ensure patients drink, eat and mobilise as soon as possible after surgery has been published for 23/24.

Ensuring that patients drink, eat and mobilise (‘DrEaMing’) as soon as possible after surgery is a key element of the NHS’s enhanced recovery programme, helping to prevent post-operative blood clots and respiratory complications resulting in an average 37.5% reduction in length of stay for patients who dream in the first 24 hours after surgery. 

DrEaMing featured in the 2022/23 CQUIN scheme and has been updated for 2023/24 to include a more comprehensive range of procedures and to ensure that the thresholds continue to be stretching, but achievable.

Guidance for the 23/24 scheme is available here.

Indicator specifications, including for DrEaMing, are available here.