The Role of Dietitians and
How to Find One
Registered Dietitians (RDs) are the only qualified health professionals that assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutrition problems at an individual and wider public health level. 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.
Dietitians are the only nutrition professionals to be statutorily regulated, and governed by an ethical code, to ensure that they always work to the highest standard. Dietitians work in the NHS, private practice, industry, education, research, sport, media, public relations, publishing, NGOs and government. Their advice influences food and health policy across the spectrum from government, local communities and individuals.
The title dietitian can only be used by those appropriately trained professionals who have registered with the Health Professions Council and whose details are on the HPC web site.
Finding a Dietitian
Most people will be able to see a Registered Dietitian within the NHS after being referred by an NHS GP, doctor, health visitor or other medical staff. You can also self-refer. Consultations with dietitians within the NHS are free.
Alternatively if you wish to see a Registered Dietitian who practises privately, you can search on-line for a dietitian near you at the Freelance Dietitians web site, which is run by the BDA's Freelance Dietitian Group.
HPC Dietitian Audits
Dietitians - like all registrants of the Health Professions Council - must commit to continuing professional development (CPD) in order to remain registered and call themselves a dietitian.
 The HPC is about to conduct its audit of dietitians and will pick 2.5% of the profession to ensure they are meeting CPD standards.
Read more about how the BDA is supporting its members.
NIHR/CNO Clinical Lectureship award - Open for nominations
Round two of these awards is now open for nominations, the closing date for nominations is 1pm August 3rd 2010. This is an exciting opportunity for Allied Health professionals. Last year there were 22 applications for the Clinical Lectureships; 10 were successful and four of these were AHPs. The Research Forum for AHPs has asked the successful applicants to offer some advice and tips to future applicants and their comments are in featured in an articlein the July edition of Dietetics Today.
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BDA Statement on FSA announcement
After rumours that the FSA would be disbanded, the government has announced it will retain part of the Food Standards Agency. However, it will transfer some responsibilities to government, the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley confirmed this week.
The Chairman of the BDA, Helen Davidson, commented: “The BDA recognises and welcomes the valued contribution of the FSA over the last ten years.” Read more...
Dietitians should lead in preventing and treating obesity
Weight and obesity are never far from the headlines and with figures reaching epidemic proportions, dietitians are on the frontline when it comes to effective prevention and treatment.
“Dietitians must be prepared to lead the charge”, believes Joyce Thompson, who was involved in the development of the latest national obesity management guideline. Read more....
 Reaction to Euro Vote on Front-of-Pack Food Labelling: BDA “Extremely Disappointed”
The European Parliament today voted on front of pack food labelling. The vote is intended to introduce a European-wide food labelling system for processed foods (ready meals, sandwiches, pies etc). Read press release...
Nutrition is the theme - BDA endorses BAPEN toolkit
BDA Honorary Chairman Helen Davidson has chosen Food, Feeding and Malnutrition as her Chairman’s Theme; so it is with delight that she welcomes The British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN) nutrition toolkit. Read more...
BDA member involved in development of first NICE guideline on childhood constipation
Children’s dietitian Sara Mancell represented the profession on the guideline development group (GDG) for the first national evidence-based guidelines on childhood constipation.
Though not life-threatening, constipation in children is very common, affecting up to 30% of the child population and it is the second most referred condition in paediatric gastroenterology, accounting for at least 25% of visits. Read more...
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The BDA is the professional association for dietitians
