We reflect on how close the predictions were to reality and how technology, Covid-19 and the needs of our workforce changed the landscape forever
In 2017, the University of Plymouth began researching the dietetic workforce to inform a new BDA workforce strategy for 2020-2030. They concluded that the future looked bright for dietetics if we start “embracing technology, exploring different ways of working and new opportunities, as this dynamic profession continues to evolve.”
Recommendations, based on their work with members and stakeholders, were put forward to “ensure the profession remains relevant in a rapidly changing world and that dietitians and the wider dietetic and nutrition workforce are fit for the future.”
The research was called Future Dietitian 2025 and we now find ourselves at that future point. With our theme for Dietitians Week focusing on the future, it gives us an ideal opportunity to reflect on the report’s findings and see how much has changed in the eight years since its release.
The findings
Five prominent themes came out of the report. The first related to the need for a clear identity for dietitians, “where credibility and visibility were established and able to flourish.”
The unclear responsibilities and identities of nutritionists and dietitians were shown to be causing tension and we continue to hear this today around nutritional therapists. Our article, working with the Association for Nutrition (AfN) clarifies the differing roles, but we know this is still an area of contention for members, as more nutritional therapists enter the space.
The second theme was around creating a strong foundation, that prepared future practitioners for a lifetime career in dietetics. A “creative and dynamic curriculum” was required that prepared apprentices, assistants and graduates for the years to come. Every seven years the curriculum gets updated and we are just about to embark on this huge undertaking. Watch this space! The 2020 Curriculum Framework really drilled into the idea of a dynamism, giving future dietitians adaptive rather than routine expertise as well as the skills to be competent, autonomous, safe and compassionate practitioners. In the new curriculum we are likely to see future dietitians getting more hands on with their physical assessment skills.
Over the past few years we’ve seen new routes into dietetics opening up, including a level 3 senior health care support worker apprenticeship programme (for therapies), a level 5 dietetic assistant practitioner apprenticeship and a dietetic degree apprenticeship. These have allowed us to widen participation in dietetics and hasten the speed at which growth can be achieved.
Diversification of roles, with a clear identity and career structure were also seen as important. The BDA’s recently launched Dietetic Career Framework concludes this piece of work and is designed to support career progression and continual professional development for a diverse number of roles in different environments (NHS, freelance, academia, industry etc.) and through all seven levels of practice from support worker through to consultant level.
The third focus of Future Dietitian 2025 was on amplifying the visibility and influence of dietetics, as members didn’t feel they had a voice to influence health and social care. Over the last eight years things have really developed in this area, with many members ‘in the room’ for key decisions. Members in all four nations now sit on various committees and groups including independent prescribing, food insecurity, public health, and research, as well as key meetings with the CAHPO in devolved nations. We also have the likes of Registered Dietitian Linda Hindle OBE, in the role of Deputy Chief Allied Health Professional Officer for England, also working for Public Health England as the AHP lead for emergency services.
We have also seen a shift here, in the rise of the social media dietitian. Many members are confidently providing evidence-based information to millions of people on social, ensuring the dietetic voice is heard. Research has shown that only 2% of nutritional information on the social media platform TikTok is evidence-based, so this provides dietitians with a unique opportunity to exploit their scientific knowledge and be the voice of reason, cutting through the noise. Our social media guidance, in line with the HCPC’s guidance gives our members confidence to be able to share content online and call out nonsense.
BDA media spokespeople continue to be asked to provide evidence-based information to the media every week too. Whilst not completely gone, we’ve seen a decrease in fad diet media enquiries, with more ‘sensible’ media requests about correcting misinformation or drilling into the science behind current nutrition hot topics instead.
Our position as a trade union, whilst not directly referred to in the report, has increased our influence in the corridors of power and has given our members an audible and strong voice. Industrial action in Northern Ireland in 2024, the first time we had ever taken our members out on strike based on pay, demonstrated just how important it is for the dietetic workforce to stand together on the things that matter to them most. The strike resulted in action and an acceptable pay offer received.
Embracing advances in science and technology was, and continues to be, critically important for the dietitians of 2025 and beyond. The Future Dietitian 2025 research acknowledged the difficulty in implementing new processes in an already complex and pressurised environment. The report called for a “cultural shift” for those involved. However, perhaps it underestimated how possible it is for the dietetic workforce to pivot in times of need. You’ll all remember how, whilst not easy, it was possible for new technology and approaches to be implemented during Covid-19. Whole systems and working practices in workplaces and universities changed overnight.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) wasn’t even mentioned in the 2017 report, demonstrating the speed at which huge advances in the way we operate can come about, especially where technology is concerned. Common uses for AI in relation to dietetics may soon include creating content, such as meal plans (within set parameters), clinical administrative tasks and perhaps even creating virtual training environments for students to practice consultations. The capabilities are likely to rapidly expand as we become more comfortable with using it.
The BDA’s Digital Vision, which launched this year, offers an introduction to tackling some of these changes, but as we know, this is continuously changing and the BDA and its members will need to remain willing to pivot and make the best use of technology, whilst fostering good practice and maintaining the vitally important person-centred care. It will be interesting to see where this takes us. We will be releasing more detailed guidance on appropriate use of AI in the near future, to support increased productivity whilst maintaining high standards.
The final theme to come through the report was career advancement and emerging opportunities. The profession was aiming high and wanted a “progressive post-graduate pathway.” We’re already seeing huge progress in this area, with increasing numbers of people completing Master’s level education to progress into advanced practice roles. The new Dietetic Career Framework also identifies career opportunities and CPD advancing to consultant level, demonstrating the true breadth of a career in dietetics.
An area not mentioned, but which is significant to the future of dietetics in the NHS, is the support workforce. The conversation has moved on since 2017 to make sure everyone working in dietetics has the opportunity to develop and progress.
Where are we going now?
The results were reviewed in 2023 internally at the BDA and it was clear that many of the areas addressed in the report were still critical to the development of the workforce. You’ll note some similar themes continuing through our Strategic Plan for 2024-2034.
They certainly aren’t nuts to crack over night but some great work has started to ensure the profession is fit for the future.
Of course, within this time new ‘needs’ for the future workforce have arisen and will continue to.
Support for the newly qualified and the support workforce have become more of a priority and preceptorship resources and support are now offered by the BDA. Emerging areas, such as Primary Care, have required promotion and additional resources. We’ve also been encouraging and making it easier for people to return to a career in dietetics, as the demands on our existing workforce increase.
Our trade union, policy and campaigning team, across the four nations, are focused on achieving fair pay for members in the NHS. We’ve worked to secure a discounted membership with the Universities and Colleges Union for our members, working in higher education, who continue to face cost cuts. This will be shared with you soon! We are also working to achieve independent prescribing rights for dietitians, to speed up care and reduce the burden on the NHS.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure will be key and the dietetic workforce will be well positioned and supported through these developments and changes to the way we work.
Diversification of the workforce, not only in terms of roles but also in terms of its makeup will be essential to the growth of the sector, which is needed to serve our growing and diverse population.
Without doubt, there are more challenges ahead for the dietetic workforce, but we’re excited and ready to take these on, on behalf of our members, the wider health and social care agenda and the public. Who’s with us?
*Through a number of different methods, 6,130 contributions from dietitians and interested stakeholders were made to the report, making this a comprehensive exploration of the 2017 and future dietetic profession.