Nutrition and Dietetics

Registered Dietitians (RDs) are the only qualified health professionals that assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutrition problems at an individual and wider public health level. Uniquely, Dietitians use the most up to date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease, which they translate into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.

Dietitians are the only nutrition professionals to be statutorily regulated, and governed by an ethical code, to ensure that they always work to the highest standard. Dietitians work in the health service, private practice, industry, education, research, sport, media, public relations, publishing, and government. Their advice influences food and health policy across the spectrum from government, local communities and individuals.

The title Dietitian can only be used by those appropriately trained professionals who have registered with the Health Care Professions Council and whose details are on the HCPC web site.

Most people who see a Dietitian will have been referred by their GP, consultant or hospital doctor, practice nurse, health visitor or other medical staff. Areas where dietary advice is often requested are Diabetes, Weight Management, Heart Disease, Poor appetite/weight loss associated with chronic illness, Eating Disorders, Gastrointestinal Disorders such as Coeliac Disease, Irritable Bowel Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease, Allergies and Intolerances and Kidney disease.

The Dietetic Team on the Isle of Man consists of seven Dietitian's and a Nutrition Nurse. Between the team, we cover all the wards at Nobles hospital and Martin Ward at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital, as well as providing care to Mental Health services. We hold a number of outpatient clinics for adults each week at various locations and times (see below). People can generally choose their preferred location for a clinic. The Paediatric Dietitian runs her clinics for infants and children in the Womens and Children's Outpatient Department.

If you or someone you know is unexpectedly losing weight or has a reduced appetite and would like some advice to help with you this please fill in our self referral form. It just takes a few minutes and all you'll need is the consent of the person you are filling the form in for, their recent weight and height. We'll take a look at the information and assess their risk of malnutrition. We'll either send you some self help information or offer you an appointment with the dietitian.

The dietetic clinics run at the following locations and times:

Adults

• Diabetes Centre, Nobles Hospital – Monday afternoon and Wednesday (afternoon and morning).
• Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital – Thursday afternoon.
• Southern Group Practice, Port Erin – Monday afternoon.

Children

• Women's and Children's Outpatient Department - Wednesday morning.

Mental Health

• Community Mental Health Service for Adults – Wednesday morning.
• Mount View House, Ramsey – Mental Health, Adults and Children.
• Bradda Resource Centre, Port Erin – Mental Health, Adults and Children.
• Appointments are also made on an individual basis at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.
• Older Persons Mental Health Service - Tuesday mornings, monthly.

Other clinics are run less frequently to cover more specialised areas such as Renal Conditions, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Selective Eating.

The service is unavailable during weekends and bank holidays, outside of these hours please contact your GP or MEDS if needed or leave a message on our answer machine and we will endeavour to return your call within 1 working day.

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