Dietitians are the only legally registered nutrition professionals. They are qualified to a degree standard and are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). They are governed by an ethical code to ensure that they always work to the highest standard.
Dietitians aim to prevent or treat ill health by translating evidence-based research into practical dietary advice. A consultation with a dietitian is confidential, impartial and tailored to the individual.
For more information see: What does a dietitian do?
At Somerset NHs Foundation Trust we offer services to inpatients in our acute and community hospitals and in outpatient settings.
We also offer outpatient services across Somerset. These may be delivered in-person, virtually (using the online platform Attend Anywhere) or by telephone.
We commonly see people who require dietary advice relating to:
- nutrition support
- inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- coeliac disease
- diabetes
- functional Bowel Disease (IBS)
In addition, we offer specialist clinics, which are typically for patients who are under hospital specialist teams. Examples of these clinics are those that are part of diabetes, bariatric surgery, weight management, renal, oncology and complex nutrition support services.
If you have an outpatient appointment booked, please contact us if you cannot attend and we will aim to arrange an alternative appointment.
How to access the dietetic service?
We have a dedicated website for patient information www.patientwebinars.co.uk. On this website you can access lots of reliable information from qualified health professionals to help you self-manage a range of conditions. This information includes webinars and short animated videos created by specialist dietitians. There are also downloadable handouts to view or print as well as signposting for further information.
If you would like to access an appointment with a dietitian please ask your GP, health care professional or hospital consultant to make a referral. They will assess whether your condition may benefit from dietary advice and can refer you to the dietetic team. We are unable to accept self-referrals.