Nutrition and Dietetic

NUTRITION AND DIETETIC SERVICES

What we do

Dietitians’ roles are wide and varied. We work in mental health, learning disabilities, community and acute settings and public health. We often work as integral members of multi-disciplinary teams to treat complex clinical conditions such as diabetes, food allergy and intolerance, IBS, eating disorders, chronic fatigue, malnutrition, kidney failure and bowel disorders. We work in collaboration with caterers, ward staff, speech and language therapists within the hospital setting to ensure the nutritional care of our clients. We provide support in other care settings such as nursing homes, social services and with the education services in planning and implementing public health programmes promoting health to prevent nutrition-related diseases.

We run individual sessions, plus groups with physiotherapists, to support clients in making lifestyle behaviour changes around eating and activity. A key role of a dietitian is to train and educate other health and social care workers. In all of these areas, we are supported by a very competent and caring team of dietetic support workers. We work as a team with Dietitians in other areas of Argyll and Bute.Our colleagues provide co-ordination and lead support for Paediatrics and Diabetes.

Why is this role important?

Choosing the right person to seek help and advice from can sometimes be a confusing task. Many people claim to be experts in nutrition yet have very limited knowledge and offer no protection to the public. Dietitians are the ‘Gold Standard’ when it comes to nutrition and food professionals. Registered Dietitians (RDs) are the only qualified health professionals that assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems at an individual and wider public health level. They work with both healthy and sick people. Uniquely, dietitians use the most up-to-date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease which they translate into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.

For more information about how to become a Dietitian or other areas we work in contact: www.bda.uk.com

How to Contact Us

You can be referred by a Health Professional or you can refer yourself

Department of Nutrition and Dietetics: 01631 788972

Self Referral Line: 01631 789 041

Email: High-UHB.DietitiansDirect@nhs.net