What do Prescribing Support Dietitians do?
Prescribing Support Dietitians (PSDs) lead and support high‑quality, value‑based nutrition prescribing. Their work contributes to improved patient outcomes, greater consistency in clinical practice, and effective use of NHS resources.
Specialist area
Optimising the safe, effective and evidence‑based prescribing of nutritional products across primary and community care.
What do Prescribing Support Dietitians help with?
PSDs provide expert advice on the clinical appropriateness of prescribed nutritional products, including when to prescribe, which product to select, appropriate quantities, duration, and review.
Their work includes:
- Supporting clinicians to make evidence‑based prescribing decisions
- Assessing prescribing trends using data from primary care systems
- Leading audits and quality improvement initiatives
- Ensuring products are used safely and in line with guidelines
- Supporting development, implementation, and communication of local and regional nutrition pathways
- Advising on product choice in cases of complex nutritional need
Examples of clinical areas supported by PSDs
| Medical need | Specialist products on prescription |
| Coeliac disease | Gluten free items |
| Babies with additional feeding needs | Special infant formula |
| Swallowing difficulties | Thickened drinks or tube feeds |
| Long term conditions such as cystic fibrosis, Crohn's, Inherited Metabolic Disorders | Various medical feeds |
PSDs also support clinicians to use food‑based strategies where appropriate, ensuring the right intervention at the right time.
How do Prescribing Support Dietitians work?
PSDs consider both individual patient care and population‑level prescribing trends. Their practice includes:
- Education and training for multidisciplinary teams
- Development of evidence‑based guidelines and clinical pathways
- Auditing, benchmarking and monitoring prescribing activity
- Supporting service improvement and medicines optimisation workstreams
- Contributing to contract reviews, procurement discussions and enteral feeding service developments (variation by locality)
- Working with commissioners to define meaningful nutrition‑related outcomes and KPIs
Their role is central to ensuring quality, safety, and value in nutrition prescribing across the care system.
Where do Prescribing Support Dietitians work?
PSDs work across multiple levels of the NHS, depending on local structures and need:
- GP practices and Primary Care Networks
- Place‑based / local care system teams
- Integrated Care Boards (ICBs)
- Regional and national specialist networks
Roles vary by organisation, but typically include a blend of clinical expertise, education, pathway development, medicines optimisation and system‑wide leadership.
Further info
- If you're a dietitian interested in delivering best patient care through prescribing support, join our Optimising Nutrition Prescribing Specialist Group today!
- Learn more about the BDA's campaign on oral nutritional supplements