As part of our continued commitment to provide excellent membership value, we are delighted to be launching the brand-new First Contact Dietitians Specialist Group for autumn 2023!
The specialist group will represent dietitians working as diagnostic clinicians in primary care. The core purpose of the group will be to provide a support network to share best practice and support dietitians undertaking these emerging roles, across the four nations. The group will provide education, supervision and networking opportunities as well as develop resources for members working in this space.
Find out more about the work of first contact dietitians.
The group will be working to develop the following for members:
- Support dietitians progressing within First Contact Practice through peer support, informal supervision opportunities and networking
- Develop CPD and education opportunities
- Grow the evidence base for dietetic practice in primary care utilising data and digital opportunities
- Improve understanding of the First Contact Dietitian role and raise the profile of first contact practice. Including increasing engagement with the wider multi-professional primary care team
- Improve and enhance pathways of practice between primary, community and secondary care
- Develop resources related to First Contact Dietitians, including updating the BDA primary care webpages
- Influence commissioners and funders in the four nations in investment decisions to increase the number of First Contact Dietitians
The Specialist Group is led by a committee of volunteers, including Chair, Joe Alvarez.
On the future of the group, Joe said: "This is a really exciting time for dietitians, first contact practitioner roles enable us to work more autonomously as diagnosticians in our specialist areas. They are an extremely important part of the plan to solve the issue of access to primary care, they ensure that patients get to see the right person at the right time.
"As a committee we are keen to work on supporting and representing FCPs and the profession to progress the role, and we are really excited to work with you all to achieve this!"
Join today
We are now welcoming all members of the BDA to join the First Contact Dietitians Specialist Group for a limited time introductory offer of £10. The committee has developed a varied programme of activity including CPD, events and resources to support members in this growing area of practice and are looking forward to building for the future with members.
If you would like to join this exciting and innovative specialist group, please click here.
