1. What is a Dietitian? ‘Trust a Dietitian to know about Nutrition’ (British Dietetic Association, 2008)

2. Outline of talk What is a Dietitian? How to become a Dietitian? What will the training consist of? Where do Dietitians work? ‘True or false’ Game Questions Useful websites for you

3. What is a Dietitian? Any ideas?

4. The role of a Dietitian? Promote nutritional well-being through education, help prevent and treat nutrition related problems. Using special diets and feeding patients. We work mainly in hospitals and in the community. Translate scientific information about food and activity into simple, practical advice, to suit the patients needs and lifestyle. We use pictures, plates, diagrams etc to make information appropriate for the patient in one- to-one and in group sessions.

5. The role of a Dietitian? Reduce symptoms associated with illness Work as individual’s and part of large clinical teams, who include; doctors, nurses, speech therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. Calculate requirements and can recommend nutritional supplements are prescribed in forms suitable for the individual, for example, drinks and puddings to ensure patients are receiving their body’s requirements.

6. What is a Dietitian? Protected title, Dietitians are registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC). You can check the on-line register on the HPC website www.hpc-uk.org National body - British Dietetic Association (BDA) Requires appropriate training and a validated degree

7. How to become a Dietitian? 4 year degree - BSc Honours in Nutrition or Dietetics 2 year Postgraduate Diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics or MSc degree, with a related undergraduate degree. Entry requirements do vary : usually A-levels passes in two or three science subjects, preferably chemistry and another science. 5 GCSEs or equivalent, including math and english. Check out the BDA website, for Universities offering courses www.bda.uk.com

8. What will training consist of? Mainly: Theory - Including biochemistry, nutrition, professional skills and physiology: how the body works, at university And Practical work - Clinical placements A – 4 weeks, B and C – 12 weeks each, in a variety of settings: hospital and community. Finally…Professional Exams

9. Where do Dietitians work? Mainly in hospitals, as part of a large, multidisciplinary team to reduce effects of disease Clinical work for the NHS Advice for patient on modified or special diets Wards range from ‘general’, e.g. medical, surgical, orthopeadic, nutritional support and obese patients to specialist areas, e.g. children. Outpatient clinics – variety of patients Train and support other professionals including nurses, dietetics assistants and students.

10. Where do Dietitians work? Community, help promote healthy, food choices and prevent disease. Health Promotion Clinical work or mixture Freelance In GP clinics, schools, voluntary groups, social services etc. Also visit patients who cannot attend hospital – nursing homes and home visits.

11. Can you think of any other places Dietitians work? Not all Dietitians work in the NHS…

12. …Where else do we work? Voluntary organisations or groups Food and pharmacy Industry T.V. Media – magazines, books Sports – football teams, think Olympic games 2012 Government – schools, prison Education - university Research Charities – British Nutrition Foundation, Diabetes UK

13. Career paths After qualifying as a Dietitian, with time and experience you could: Specialise in a particular area, Teach or lecture Become a manager and be involved in budgeting and planning services as well as health policies. Work freelance ‘The path to success is always under construction’

14. Test Your Knowledge – True or false? Anyone can call themselves a Dietitian Processed foods are higher in salt than natural foods Sea salt is better for you than table salt Frozen vegetables contain more salt than cornflakes Polyunsaturated oils lose their value after heating Margarine has less fat and calories than butter Meat contains a high amount of fibre

15. Test Your Knowledge – True or false? High fibre foods e.g. wholemeal breads & cereals, fruit & vegetables help reduce cholesterol levels in the body Exercise has no effect on weight loss Alcohol contains no calories Sugar provides us with many valuable nutrients Lactose is another form of sugar

16. Any questions...? Useful Websites: - British Dietetic Department www.bda.uk.com - Food Standard Agency www.fsa.gov.uk - Department of Health www.doh.gov.uk - Health Professions Council www.hpc-uk.org