BDA | BDA Specialist Groups

Specialist Groups are a formal part of the BDA, able to represent the Association and its wider membership. They are protected, as part of the company limited by guarantee, by the safeguards available to the Association. These include indemnity insurance and access to the wider support systems within any legally constituted body.

The activities of each Specialist Group are summarised below.

You can view more information about these groups in the members' web site, if you are a member of the BDA. Information about meetings and events are listed in the Members' web site Diary. Each specialist group has its own information area on the members' web site.

If you are not a member and wish to get in touch with any of the Specialist Groups, please email the BDA .

Community Nutrition Group (CNG)

The CNG is made up of dietitians working in the community. The CNG aims to promote the role of the community dietitian in both health promotion and clinical practice.

The group’s objectives are to:

Act as an expert source of nutrition information for people outside the field
Provide a forum for Community Dietitians to network with others actively involved in Community Nutrition
Promote the role and development of Community Dietitians

Community Dietitians are involved in either health promotion, clinical work, or a mixture of both. They help to promote healthy food choices and prevent disease by increasing awareness of the link between nutrition and health. Community Dietitians help to facilitate a positive change in food choices amongst individuals, groups and communities.

Benefits of membership include:

Networking with others actively involved in community nutrition, with Dietitians in similar settings or Community Dietitians in your region
Keep up to date with relevant community nutrition initiatives through a members newsletter.
Chance to attend and get discount rates to an annual topical conference in April.
Opportunity to borrow a wide range of resources. The majority of the available resources are only available to be borrowed by existing CNG members.

View the group’s web site.

Dietitians in HIV and AIDS

DHIVA was founded in 1993. It comprises Dietitians in the UK and overseas, who specialise or have an interest in HIV/AIDS.

Our aim is to provide the following to a wide variety of organisations and individuals:

Communication network for all interested parties
Accurate and up-to-date information on nutritional aspects of HIV/AIDS
Maintain a reference base of published information
Education
Best practice guideline

Members of DHIVA receive:

Committee contact list
Professional consensus statement
Eat video
Aims and objectives
Resources and Reference list
DHIVA leaflets
Reduced BHIVA membership fee

Diabetes Management and Education Group

The Diabetes Management and Education Group (DMEG), founded in 1990, provides a forum for dietitians with a special interest in the care of children and adults with diabetes.

The aim of the group is to improve the dietetic care of people with diabetes, the first objective being to promote the benefits of the Dietitians role within the multidisciplinary team, in primary and secondary care. The development of Specialist Diabetes Dietitian posts over recent years have made major contributions and improved dietetic standards of care within "teams" and to patients.

For more information about the group see the DMEG web site: www.dmeg.org.uk.

Dietitians Working in Obesity Management DOM UK

Aims:

To represent dietitians working in obesity management.
To work in collaboration with others towards reducing the burden of obesity for individuals, the NHS and the wiser economy.
To be a reliable source of evidence-based information for individuals, health care professionals and agencies working in the field of obesity

Objectives:

A specialism
To recognise and promote the concept that the dietary management of obesity requires specialist skills, knowledge and expertise.
Standards
To develop and promote evidence-based standards for the dietary management of overweight and obesity
Evaluation and Research
To facilitate a supportive environment for the evaluation of dietetic practice in obesity management and the promotion and dissemination of obesity research.
Promote dietitians
To promote the role of the dietitian in the prevention and management of obesity, both within and beyond The British Dietetic Association.
Training
To develop and provide post-registration education and training in obesity management to dietitians and to influence current dietetic practice.
Networking and communication
To develop and foster a network of people interested in obesity management within the dietetic profession, namely members of The British Dietetic Association. To communicate with other obesity agencies, for example, the Association for the Study of Obesity, National Obesity Forum, enabling transfer of information from and to DOM (UK) and its members.

For more information about the group contact Helen Croker, Secretary e-mail: helenc@public-health.ucl.ac.uk

This group has a website at www.domuk.org

Freelance Dietitians Group (FDG)

The Freelance Dietitians Group (FDG) is a communication network for dietitians who primarily work in a freelance capacity. As a member of FDG you will receive regular information that relates to both the business procedures and the clinical work of freelance dietitians plus any job opportunities that the group is approached to circulate. Additionally it will entitle you to reduced fees at FDG meetings.

FDG holds two meetings per year and invites speakers on professional and research issues as well as holding business meetings.

Aims/Objectives

To act as the voice to represent freelance Dietitians
To work continually to raise the profile of freelance Dietitians
To share experiences and provide a channel for communication between freelance Dietitians
To provide a forum for exchange of ideas concerning freelance dietetics
To facilitate networking between freelance Dietitians
To develop and provide appropriate training opportunities for freelance Dietitians and encourage and assist the Continuous Professional Development of group members

Our Priorities and Initiatives

Gather and disseminate information on fees and charges for public information
Update of any professional publications relating to freelance dietetics
Develop strategies to tackle problems involved with obtaining payment
of dietitians from private health insurance companies
Promote the role of the dietitian and qualified nutritionist and highlight the issue of under-qualified nutritionists being used by the public and the media
Address issues around Professional Indemnity Insurance and freelance work
Enable easy and productive information exchanges between group members.

View the group’s website.

For more information about the group contact Pat Bacon, Membership Secretary e-mail: pat.bacon@btinternet.com.

Food Counts

The work of a dietitian is always closely linked with food and this group was started by dietitians who are interested in catering and food issues within different food service settings, including hospitals.

It aims to promote good nutrition for all through influencing food provision in health care and community settings and to provide a focus for sharing good practice around catering issues.

Our objectives are to be the expert group within the dietetic profession that focuses on catering issues working with other professional bodies to collaborate, communicate, set standards and guidelines, support others, educate and train all those involved within food services.

This involves acting as representatives for our profession in various groups including Better Hospital Food, BDA/ Hospital Caterers Association (HCA) collaboration, and to feed back to our colleagues on initiatives via Food Counts study days and newsletters for members.

For more information about the group contact

Helen Ream, Temporary Membership Secretary e-mail: hream@ncht.trent.nhs.uk.

Mental Health Group

There are approximately 100 members of the Mental Health Group (MHG). The MHG is open to all Registered Dietitians who are members of the British Dietetic Association and have an interest in Mental Illness, Learning Diasabilities and Eating Disorders.

The Mental Health Group aims to:

Support dietitians working in the field of mental illness, learning disabilities and eating disorders, who often work single handedly, and may not even be part of a multidisciplinary team.
Provide a communication network for dietitians working in mental illness, learning disabilities and eating disorders.
Act as an information resource for other dietitians
Promote training and education for dietitians working in mental illness, learning disabilities and eating disorders
Raise awareness of the importance of good nutrition for physical and psychological health
Raise awareness of the need for evidence-based practice on all issues relating to nutrition (ie the importance of dietetic support)
To raise awareness of the importance of the multidisciplinary team.
To produce training packages for other staff.

The Mental Health Group holds two meetings each year - one one-day and one two-day meeting. The two-day meeting includes the AGM, a business meeting, plus a relevant topic for study. The one-day meeting includes the business meeting, plus another study topic/ topics.

For more information about the group contact Marjory Macleod, Membership Secretary e-mail: marjory.macleod@lpct.scot.nhs.uk.

Multicultural Nutrition Group

The Multicultural Nutrition Group (MNG) was initiated in 1993. We have grown and developed and our current membership is at forty-one.
The group meets twice a year, once in London and once in the Midlands. The business meeting is followed by presentations on current work or projects being carried out in the multicultural communities around the UK.

The MNG aims to act as a resource and forum for the exchange of information relevant to nutrition and dietetics in multicultural groups.

Objectives:

To facilitate the promotion of healthy lifestyles in the multicultural community.
To provide support to members of the MNG and others working with the multicultural communities.
To build on existing nutritional knowledge and skills to develop more effective work practices.
To act as an advisory body for those outside the specialised field of multicultural nutrition.
To develop and maintain a database of appropriate resources relevant to the work of Dietitians.
Lead, investigate, innovate and drive nutrition initiatives for the benefit of multicultural communities.
Develop long-term goals on multicultural nutrition so that directions can be focused and planned.

For more information about the group contact Chetali Agrawal, Secretary.

Nutrition Advisory Group for Elderly People

The membership is made up of Dietitians who have an interest in promoting good nutrition among elderly people.

NAGE aims to:

Bring together people with an interest in the nutrition of the elderly
Provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, information and experience
Offer advice and support to dietitians, other health professionals and carers working with elderly people
Produce resources to promote and encourage good nutrition in elderly people
Communicate with other special interest groups within the BDA

Activites of NAGE include: acting as an advisory body, continuing education for Dietitians, producing guidelines for pre-registration education for health professionals, working with the media, production of resources, supporting research and building links with other agencies and voluntary organisations.

NAGE produces a number of resources available to buy. Click for an order form and further details.
For more information about the group contact Vicki Pout, Membership Secretary e-mail: vicky.pout@ekht.nhs.uk

National Dietetic Managers Group

National Dietetics Managers (NDMs) is for dietitians with management and supervisory responsibilities. NDMs actively supports management development and practices, and works in partnership, sharing information and knowledge to influence policies. The group has developed a Strategy, reviewed and revised every three years, to direct its work.

The NDMs’ Vision is: to be the recognised means of management support to all dietitians in the private and public sector; promote management competencies for dietitians; and, build on its professional profile

The current key objectives of the group are:

To be a recognised source of management knowledge and skills for dietitians
To support dietetic management practice in the public and private sector.
To work in partnership with other stakeholders and recognised bodies
To communicate effectively and market the group to all stakeholders.

Examples of the activities the group undertakes to achieve these objectives include:

a mentoring scheme for members
maintaining a database of dietitians with experience and an interest in different areas of management who are willing to share their knowledge and skills with other dietitians
Two conferences per year on a range of management topics.
Produces a bi-annual newsletter for members

These conferences also provide opportunities for members to network. The group reviews its strategic Action Plan every three months at its Committee meetings.

For more information about the group contact Michaela Butters, Membership Secretary e-mail: michaela.butters@ipswichhospital.nhs.uk.

Oncology Group

The Oncology Group aims to organise meetings, produce newsletters and act as an information resource for all Dietitians who are interested in Cancer.
Membership of the Group is on an individual basis. There are approximately 100 members, annually.

Members receive two newsletters and a reduction in the meeting fee for the Group Meetings, held in Spring and Autumn.

The group has eight written standards and guidelines for Dietitians working in Oncology which include guidelines on Continuing Professional Development and working more effectively as team members.

More about the role of Dietitians working in Oncology.

For more information about the group contact Patricia Knox, Membership Secretary e-mail: patricia.knox@bch.n-i.nhs.uk.

Useful links relating to the work of this group:

Beating Bowel Cancer.
cancerbacup.
Patient information leaflets about cancer .
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Paediatric Group

Dietitians working in Paediatrics are Registered Dietitians who provide specialist nutritional advice for infants, children and adolescents. Dietitians advise on the dietary management necessary to treat children with a wide range of clinical disorders and promote and raise awareness of the importance of healthy eating for children, young people and their families. We work in a variety of settings including hospitals, the community, health centers and schools.

Dietitians can also play a role in the private sector and industry working with food manufacturers and retailers, nutrition pharmaceutical and PR companies. We also work with the media and are involved in writing articles about childhood nutrition for health journals, magazines and newspaper articles. The Paediatric Group are also asked to comment on topical issues, to provide an expert opinion to professional bodies, government, charities and self help groups.

The Paediatric Group aims to:

provide a communication network for paediatric dietitians
act as an information resource for dietitians
promote paediatric dietetic education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels to the public and other health professionals in infant and child nutrition
provide education to the public and other health professionals involved in infant and child nutrition

There are now over 450 members of the Paediatric Group. The Group holds two study days per year (Spring and Autumn). These study days consist of a business meeting in the morning for group members only, and an open afternoon session comprising discussions, workshops and lectures on topical issues related to paediatric nutrition.

The Paediatric Group also produces seven delightfully illustrated leaflets on how to feed babies, children and teenagers to help them grow and develop normally. You can order these by clicking here.

If you wish for your child to see a Paediatric Dietitian for advice on your child’s diet please contact your Health Visitor or General Practitioner who will refer you to your local Paediatric Dietitian.

If you wish to access more information about the activities of this group you must be a member of the British Dietetic Association.

If you want further information about the Paediatric Group please contact:

Chair: Catherine Jenkins

Email: catherine.jenkins@asph.nhs.uk

Sub groups of the Paediatric groups include:

Neonatal dietitians interest group of the United Kingdom (NDIGuk)

Paediatric Renal Interest Nutrition Group (PRING)

NGIGuk

Neonatal dietitians interest group of the United Kingdom (NDIGuk) is a sub group of the Paediatric Group of the British Dietetic Association, providing an informal network for neonatal dietitians.

The aims of the group are:

To undertake joint collaborative audit and research to develop formalised standards and publish work.
To review up to date journals and create a forum for discussion of current issues.
To formulate a network of dietitians within neonatology to share practice.
To provide evidence-based education and advice to non-specialists and specialists in the field of neonatology through meetings, study days and a network of experts who can be contacted for advice.
To develop links with other professional groups working in neonatology.

Chair and Secretary details:

Chair: Sue Bell, North Staffs. Tel 01782 552113
email sue.bell@uhns.nhs.uk

Membership Secretary: Shona Brennan, Sheffield. Tel – 0114 226 8217
email shona.brennan@sth.nhs.uk

Visit our website at www.bapm.org/nutrition to download a membership form

PRING:

The Paediatric Renal Interest Group consists of paediatric Registered Dietitians who deliver dietetic care to any one of the 15 current designated paediatric renal units in the UK and Ireland.

Aims:

To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, discuss new developments and share information and experiences
To be formally recognised by organisations such as BAPN (British Association of Paediatric Nephrologists) for inclusion in multi-professional activities such as audit and research
To produce resources and undertake research/audit to support evidence based practice
To provide a support network for paediatric renal dietitians
To offer clinical advice and support on renal dietetics to dietitians in other disciplines or working in non-specialist centers
Work in close co-operation with the Paediatric Group of the BDA

Please direct any general enquiries about PRING to the Chairperson or Secretary:

Chair: Pearl Pugh, Paediatric Renal Dietitian, Nottingham City Hospital, Tel: 0115 969 1169 Ext 45323

ppugh@ncht.trent.nhs.uk

Membership Secretary: Sara Janes, Paediatric, Renal Dietitian, Birmingham City Hospital Tel: 0121 333 8035

sara.janes@bch.nhs.uk

Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Group

The Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (PEN) Group is a specialist group of the BDA and is a recognised authority on academic and practical aspects of artificial nutrition; both in the UK and Europe. The group promotes the concept of nutritional support to its members and other interested health care professionals in order to improve and maintain the nutritional status of patients in hospital and the community. The PEN Group organises an ongoing programme of training and publications designed to support all members of the BDA involved in treating clinical malnutrition. PEN Group members enjoy a wide variety of additional benefits:

Two clinical meetings per year (one at BAPEN), at reduced price for members
Automatic membership of BAPEN, plus dietetic representation at BAPEN
Reduced price membership of ESPEN and if you join you will automatically receive Clinical Nutrition
Two copies a year of PenLines
Free copy of the PEN Group student training guidelines
PEN Group publications at a reduced price eg. Standards, Handbook
A copy of the PEN Group Constitution on joining PEN Group
The opportunity to win an award of up to £1000 for an outstanding piece of original work/ abstract which will then be presented at BAPEN.

View the group’s website.

For more information about the group contact Vera Todorovic, Membership Secretary e-mail: vera.todorovic@bhcs-tr.trent.nhs.uk.

Renal Nutrition Group (RNG)

The Renal Nutrition Group was first established in 1970.
It provides a forum for dietitians working, or interested in the field of renal medicine to meet, discuss ideas and projects and to promote this particular area of dietetics.
The Renal Nutrition Group membership is open to all qualified dietitians and non-members are also welcome to attend the non-business part of group meetings.
The group meets twice yearly and aims to make the meetings a combination of group business, specialist speakers and original dietetic contributions. The meetings have accreditation for the Diploma in Advanced Dietetic Practice.
The objectives of the Renal Nutrition Group are clear:

To provide a networking opportunity for all dietitians working in the field of renal medicine.
To promote the specialist area of renal nutrition to other dietitians and to other disciplines working in renal medicine.
To liaise with other health professions involved in the care of renal patients. e.g. doctors, renal nurses, pharmacists, social workers.
To play an active role in the programme for the annual national multidisciplinary conference, The British Renal Symposium.
To promote pre-registration and post-registration education of dietitians in renal nutrition.
To act as a voice for British renal dietitians on National and International committees.

For more information about the group contact Janet Curwell, Secretary email janet.curwell@cmmc.nhs.uk.

UK Heart Health and Thoracic Dietitians Group

The aim of the group is to enable dietitians to facilitate their interests, skills, knowledge and competencies in heart health and thoracic issues.
Members of the Group will have the opportunity to get involved in activities including:

updates
educational sessions
networking and support
heart health and thoracic topics to reflect the interests of the Group
guideline production
information sharing
production of resources

As a member of the group you will receive

free attendance at three meetings a year (two heart health days and one thoracic day)
mailings and newsletters
opportunity to meet other dietitians with similar interests and to share ideas and good practice.

For more information about the group contact Rachel Vine, Chair e-mail: Rachel.vine@nhs.net

Information about meetings and events are listed in the Members' web site Diary.

Each specialist group has its own information area on the members' web site.