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Patients & Visitors

Dietetics

Overview

Acute Medical

Community

Paediatrics

Dietary information

Diabetes

Community

The community dietetic team are based at St Martin’s Hospital and provide a service to patients in the following ways:

  • Inpatients (Paulton and St Martin’s Hospitals)
  • Outpatients (Keynsham Health Centre, Paulton, Royal United and St Martin’s Hospitals)
  • Patients may also be offered a group education session
  • Visited in their own home if housebound or unable to travel

We also provide some nutrition training to healthcare professionals and work closely with other professionals to provide care in the community. We are also involved in promoting healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle to the general public.

Referral criteria

Referrals can be accepted from GPs and community staff.

See referral criteria for more details.

See referral form for community dietetics – adults

Referrals can be sent via post or email ruh-tr.referralsSMHdietitians@nhs.net

For general queries please contact the Department on 01225 833916.

 

Specialist community dietetic services include: Community Paediatrics, Community stroke and neuro-rehabilitation, Diabetes, Domiciliary care, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Prescribing support.

Community Paediatrics

We see children with:

  • Allergies and Food Intolerances
  • Reflux / poor feeding
  • Faltering growth / poor weight gain
  • Poor nutritional status
  • Fussy and restricted eating
  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Obesity

We offer the following:

  • Outpatient clinics at four different locations: Keynsham Health Centre, Paulton. Royal United and St Martin’s Hospitals
  • Remote (telephone or video) consultations
  • Monthly Cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) education groups at the Royal United Hospital
  • Group sessions may be offered for other conditions if appropriate
  • We are also happy to consider corresponding via email with parents if appropriate

Referrals are accepted from Community Paediatricians, GPs, Health Visitors and other BANES (HCRG Care Group) community health professionals.

Please see referral criteria and referral form: 

BANES paediatrics referral criteria

Paediatric referral form

Useful paediatric resources

Resources for paediatrics can be located in the Dietary information section and can be shared with parents to help provide first line initial advice before the dietetic appointment or remote consultation.

Community Stroke and Neuro-Rehabilitation

We see patients who receive care from the Community Neuro & Stroke Service in BANES. Many patients with neurological conditions can experience weight loss in conjunction with their illness due to reduced appetite, swallowing difficulties, reduced mobility or perhaps increased nutritional requirements. We provide tailored advice to support individual patients to maintain their weight and meet their nutritional needs; this takes into account any texture needs and practical considerations. Some patients may consider tube feeding and this is a topic the dietitian can guide the patient through if they would like more information. Care is often provided at home, however we also visit patients at day centres or provide advice over the telephone if this is appropriate. We liaise with relatives and carers to better support our patients and work with other health professionals to maximise their health and care overall.

Domiciliary Care

For those unable to attend a clinic appointment, a home visit may be provided. There are many reasons patients may need to see a dietitian. These include: unplanned weight loss, difficulty swallowing, poor appetite, wanting to lose weight or follow a healthier diet to better manage or prevent diabetes and other health conditions. The dietitian will assess the patient and discuss a plan to put in place to help. Sometimes it may be appropriate for patients to receive advice over the telephone or by remote video consultation.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

We offer a range of ways that people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can receive information and advice. Many patients opt to attend a group session where a dietitian provides an overview of IBS and in depth and practical information on how to follow a low FODMAP diet (a diet which can help to reduce symptoms in many, but not all, people with IBS). Those who find this helpful are invited to attend a second session about reintroducing FODMAPs, aiding symptom control and minimising dietary restrictions longer term. These sessions may be virtual sessions. Some patients prefer to obtain this dietary information through online webinars and resources and others prefer to attend a one to one appointment with a dietitian to discuss their concerns and their diet on a more individual basis.

Prescribing Support

The prescribing support dietitian works collaboratively with medicines management teams and dietitians to improve appropriate prescribing of nutritional products for both adults and paediatric patients. Audit work is undertaken throughout GP practices to identify and support individuals who are prescribed oral nutritional supplements (Sip feeds). The prescribing support dietitian links across Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire to produce and update guidelines for prescribable nutrition products.



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