Dietetics
Overview of the Service
What is a dietitian?
A dietitian translates nutritional science in to everyday language and practical advice to prevent disease, improve symptoms and health. The dietetic aim is to support recovery and provide nutrition as a core part of treatment or management of condition. All dietitians working in the NHS are registered with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC).
Registered dietitians are the only qualified health professionals that assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems at an individual and wider public health level.
Who are we?
We are a team of Dietitians within the Therapies Service and provide a service across Bath and North East Somerset. We also see adult and paediatric patients living in North and West Wiltshire and Somerset, if they are under the care of an RUH consultant.
The team comprises of registered dietitians, dietetic assistants and administrative support staff.
What do we do?
The service works with patient: adults, children, carers, staff and the public. We work in the hospitals and in the community to help people make dietary changes so that patients can self-manage their health problem. This can include people with:
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Food intolerances or suspected allergy
- Gastrointestinal disorders - e.g. coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome
- Malnutrition
- Obesity
- Swallowing difficulties including those who require tube feeding
People are referred for dietary advice and information; they may be invited to a face-to-face consultation, remote consultation by telephone or video or a group session. Individual advice is offered to suit the patient’s lifestyle and circumstances. Advice may also be given on alternative foods, food supplements or additions if necessary.
Children needing specialised help will usually be seen by a Paediatric Dietitian.
We see and advise patients in the following ways:
- Inpatients
- Outpatients
- Remote (telephone/Video)
- Home visits can be offered if necessary
We provide the following range of clinics:
- Diabetes
- Gastroenterology
- General outpatients
- Paediatrics
- Specialist weight management
Your appointment letter should tell you where your appointment is being held. Further information can be found in the document below:
Information on what to expect when visiting the dietitian
What do we offer?
We offer group sessions for patients to enhance understanding of diet and promote behaviour change, in cardiac rehabilitation, coeliac disease, diabetes and irritable bowel syndrome.
Information sessions are also available for parents of babies and infants with Cow’s milk protein allergy.
Group sessions allow more time to discuss the topics and to share experiences with other people with the same condition.
How to access the service?
Advice and information may be sought by telephoning or writing to the Dietetic Department at the Royal United Hospital Bath or St Martin’s Hospital.
Referrals may be made in writing by a medical practitioner to the Dietitian at the hospitals above or by email. The service operates referral criteria for acute, community and paediatric referrals.
Dietitians are either based at the Royal United Hospital Bath (Brownsword & Therapies Centre) or St Martin’s Hospital.
Contact details for advice and general queries:
Contact details for advice and general queries:
Dietetic Department at Royal United Hospital
01225 824398
Contact details for advice and general queries in the community:
Dietetic Department at St. Martin’s Hospital
01225 833916
Ruh-tr.referralsSMHdietitians@nhs.net
The service is available between the core hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.