The Community Nutrition and Dietetics Service provides Dietetic services across Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, South Sefton and Southport and Formby. We are a team of dietitians, dietetic assistants, assistant practitioners and administrators supporting the delivery services across the region.
A dietitian is a degree qualified health professional registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) who:
- aim to support positive long-term lifestyle changes to diet, physical activity, and behaviour to enable patients to better manage their symptoms, improve control of their disease/condition and improve their quality of life
- Dietitians are the only nutrition professionals to be regulated by law and governed by an ethical code, to ensure that they always work to the highest standard
- We deliver bespoke training to patients, staff in care homes locally to help promote good nutritional care and general health and wellbeing.
The service accepts referrals from GPs, Consultants, District Nurses, Matrons, Allied Health Professionals, and other healthcare professionals. Referrals will be clinically triaged with a choice of suitable appointments offered. Home appointments will be reserved for those who are housebound. The Community Dietetic service also provides Dietetic input for those in care homes and some rehabilitation and reablement units – see further information on each area.
Core hours across all teams are Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm. There is limited cover after 4pm. We do not provide a weekend or bank holiday service.
Referral criteria varies depending on where you live and local arrangements. Please check local pages for referral information. Inappropriate referrals will be redirected wherever possible and signposted to the appropriate services.
Exclusion criteria
- Impaired glucose tolerance Prediabetes | Diabetes UK | Reduce risk type 2 diabetes
- Eating disorders
- Specialist weight management services and bariatric surgery
- Those under the care of specialist acute services with acute dietetic support – referrers please liaise with specialist consultant if dietetic input is required
- CKD 4-5 patients under the care of Nephrology Services.
It’s helpful to bring your appointment letter, a list of any medications you are taking and contact details for other health professionals who may be involved in your care.
The dietitian will carry out an assessment to find out your individual needs and will review your dietary intake. You may be asked if you are happy to be weighed as this will be helpful to guide on a treatment plan. Your options will be discussed with you and you will be fully involved in agreeing a treatment plan and goals. This may include signposting on to other services.
You may also wish to bring along a partner, relative, friend or carer for support.
We can arrange translation services and support for those with hearing, visual or other impairments.
If you would like to know about waiting times in your area or are concerned about your dietary intake or symptoms, please call your local Dietetic dept – see tab for your local Dietetic department.
About your follow up appointment
After your first appointment with a dietitian, you may be offered Patient Initiated Follow Up (PIFU).
PIFU means you can decide if you need another appointment.
If you would like a follow up appointment, you will need to contact the team within 6 to 8 weeks of your first appointment.
Benefits of PIFU
- You can choose if you need another appointment
- You may save time and travel costs
- It helps make more appointments available for other patients.
What do I need to do?
If you would like a follow up appointment, please contact the team within the time shown in your letter.
You can contact us by:
- Phone
- Email.
What happens if I do not contact the service?
If you do not contact the team within 6 to 8 weeks, you will be discharged from the service.
If you need dietetic support in the future, your GP or another healthcare professional can refer you back to the service.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact your local team. Click the place where you live for contact details.
- The British Dietetic Association (BDA)
- Health and Care Professions Council
- Malnutrition Pathway
- Diabetes UK
- NHS Weight Loss Plan link
Weight management support is available to patients via the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme or the National Diabetes Prevention Programme for patients who meet the clinical criteria for each programme.