We provide professional, evidence-based advice and guidance on your diet in order to improve your health.
All clinical areas within the Trust are covered by a dietitian who can advise on diet and nutrition appropriate for various conditions at different stages of disease.
Registered Dietitians (RDs) assess and advise on diet and nutrition.
We also support with:
The diabetes specialist dietitians offer a holistic approach to the care that they provide.
Individuals are encouraged to develop skills to self-manage their diabetes taking into account their individual lifestyle and medications, which the diabetes dietitian can help to facilitate.
Consultations may be done on an individual basis or alongside other members of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT).
Our Gastroenterology Dietitians provide specialist, evidence-based nutrition care for adults with a range of digestive conditions, accepting referrals from both GPs and Gastroenterology Consultants.
We tailor our advice to individual's clinical needs and support patients with conditions such as:
Patients can be seen as inpatients during their hospital stay or as outpatients following discharge or referral. Our service offers both one-to-one clinic appointments, telephone appointments and structured group education sessions to ensure accessible and comprehensive care.
The Swindon Renal Unit provides a service to people with kidney disease, and is part of the Oxford Kidney Unit.
A specialist renal dietitian works with patients to provide practical dietary advice.
Joint clinics with the doctors and clinical nurse specialists cover:
Macmillan Oncology Dietitians specialise in Cancer and Haematology Care and can provide nutritional advice and support to patients at any stage of their cancer journey.
The Macmillan Oncology Dietitians provide support to the Dove Haematology Inpatient Unit and have an outpatient service providing support via telephone and face to face appointments.
The Macmillan Oncology Dietitians work closely with other health professionals involved in Cancer care and aim to provide a person-centred approach.
The Dietitian can provide support and advice for specific dietary problems as a result of cancer or treatment.
This could include:
Referrals are accepted from a Consultant, Cancer Specialist Nurse or GP.
Children can be referred to the Paediatric Dietitian by their Paediatrician, GP, Health Visitor, School Nurse or Specialist Nurse.
The types of conditions we see include:
• Food allergies
• Faltering growth
• Feeding difficulties with growth and micronutrient concerns
• Gastrointestinal disorders (e.g. Coeliac Disease)
• Diabetes
Cow's milk-free diet information
The Home Enteral Nutrition Team sees people who require a feeding tube due to a reduced ability to swallow food and drink for assessment and follow-up.
We offer an initial appointment where the pros and cons of having a feeding tube are discussed, and information is provided about the procedure itself.
At this appointment, the person's current diet is assessed, and dietary alterations and oral nutritional supplements are recommended where appropriate.
The different options for feeding once a tube has been placed are also discussed for the patient to see how this might fit into their daily routine.
The patient can ask any questions they might have, and our aim at this stage is to ensure that people have enough information to make an informed choice as to whether to have a tube placed.
We work closely with colleagues in Endoscopy and Gastroenterology to arrange placement of feeding tubes.
On the ward
Nutrition Nurses visit all patients with feeding tubes on the wards to ensure the tube site remains as healthy as possible.
Patients are regularly reviewed by the acute Dietitians during this time, and care is handed over to the Home Enteral Feeding Dietitian on discharge.
Nutrition Nurses or Nutricia Nurses provide training with patients and/or relatives and carers prior to discharge. We will arrange for deliveries of feed and supplies through our contractor Nutricia Homeward and ensure that all is in place for tube feeding to be managed in the community.
In the community
Nutricia Nurses and the Home Enteral Feeding Dietitian’s Secretary aim to contact with patients and/or their carers shortly after discharge to check everything is going smoothly.
We aim to visit patients at home or offer a clinic appointment within one month of a tube being placed. Further reviews are arranged according to need and request.
Once a patient is stable, six-monthly reviews are the norm, but we are always happy to review sooner and are always contactable by telephone.
In the community the Dietitian monitors weight, blood results, feed tolerance, medications and lifestyle impact and makes changes to the feed and feeding regimen as appropriate in agreement with the patient and/or patient's representatives.
The Nutricia Nurse checks the tube, ensures timely replacement, ensures the skin around the tube is healthy and recommends products to help treat any problems.
This service is currently under review.
Great Western Hospital
Marlborough Road
Swindon
SN3 6BB
