Nutrition and Dietetics

Service Summary

We are a team of 16 registered dietitians working across York. We are based at York Hospital and work with inpatients and outpatients.

Dietitians use their knowledge of nutritional science, medicine and social science to devise appropriate dietary modifications and put this into practical information about food. In addition dietitians have knowledge of all feeding methods that can be used for patients in hospital. We work with people to promote nutritional well-being, prevent food related problems and to treat disease.

As registered dietitians, we hold the only legally recognised graduate qualification in Nutrition and Dietetics and are therefore the only nutritionally qualified profession that can work in NHS Hospitals treating patients. We are registered with The Health Professions Council (www.hpc-uk.org). This means that patients are assured of quality and safety in practice.

Who's Who

Clinical Director - Dr Tony Bowker
Nutritition and Dietetics Manager - Anne Robinson

What do we do?

Nutrition is fundamental to all patients and people may need to see a dietitian for many reasons. In hospital we ensure a patient is fed properly, this can improve recovery rates and reduce the chance of further difficulties and in turn reduce the time a patient needs to spend in hospital. Here is a selection of some very common conditions where diet is an effective treatment.

Diabetes
Cancers
Kidney disease
Neurological problems
Prevention of weight loss
Swallowing difficulties
High cholesterol
Liver disease
Coeliac disease
Eating problems in adults and children
Allergies
Assessment of the elderly at risk
Stroke
Recovery after an operation

All the advice will be tailored to the individual's needs.

Dietitians also work as members of a multidisciplinary team to look after patients who are under the care of a consultant.

Dietitians work to promote good health by teaching the public and other health professionals about diet and nutrition.

They also act as advisors to the Trust on the nutritional standards and specifications for the patient food service to ensure that the needs of all patients can be met.

How to get an appointment?

To get an appointment with a dietitian, your GP, consultant or nurse practitioner will send a referral to us containing relevant information on your health. This will enable us to assess what type of nutritional advice would be appropriate to discuss with you. We cannot see you without a medical referral because we would not have the correct medical information available.

When we receive your referral, we will write to you asking you to contact us to make an appointment at a time and location most suitable to you. We have many different clinics at the hospital, where there are different specialist dietitians working. We will make your appointment with the appropriate dietitian.

What happens at your appointment with the dietitian?

Your appointment will generally be held at York Hospital and an initial appointment will take either thirty minutes or an hour. The dietitian will work with you to understand what your needs are, taking account of your medical condition and anything else that is affecting your health or social circumstances. An individual plan will be discussed and agreed with you. Usually you will have some written information to take away. It may be that your treatment will be ongoing and this will either be by telephone or you will be asked to attend further clinic appointments, depending on your needs.

Where to find us

The York Hospital: Our clinics are held in the main outpatients department, on the ground floor. Some of the specialist clinics are also held in the specialist units that you may attend, and the dietitian will be there at the same time as you see your consultant, and other members of the specialist team who are treating you.