Community Nutrition and Dietetics Service now accepts self-referrals

Bristol people can benefit from direct access to the area's community based Nutrition and Dietetics Service, which now accepts self-referrals from patients. This means that patients do not have to go to see a GP or other health professional in order to access the service, they can make a direct referral into it themselves instead. Referrals into the service from GPs and other health professionals will continue to be accepted also.

The move to self-referrals encourages greater access to nutrition and dietetic advice from a wider section of the community, and aims to meet the needs of patients. 

Bristol Community Health's Nutrition and Dietetics Service supports people with health conditions which can be affected by changing food choices and lifestyle. The service is part of Bristol Community Health's Diabetes & Nutrition Services, (DANS) and is based at John Milton Clinic, Henbury, Bristol.

The team of specialist dietitians provide support and advice to adult patients and carers with a variety of conditions including diabetes, heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome and coeliac disease. This includes one-to-one counselling, group education, and teaching people about nutrition and health.

The service can also support people who are under-nourished, such as those who have a poor appetite.

The service supports patients in North Bristol, East Bristol and the inner city. It also has a 'Carbohydrate Counting' programme available to patients from all areas of Bristol, who have Type 1 diabetes.

Speaking of the move to accepting self-referrals, Monica Dinnall, Bristol Community Health's Clinical Lead for Nutrition and Dietetics, said: "It's really great that we are now able to offer patients direct access to our service. This is an encouraging development, and one that will improve access to our service for people in need of nutrition and dietetic support."

To download a referral form please visit www.briscomhealth.org.uk/our-services/item/24-nutrition-and-dietetics and see the 'Document Downloads' section on the left hand side of the page.

If you have any questions or queries please contact the team on 0117 959 8970 or by email at dans.bristol@nhs.net

Bristol Community Health is a social enterprise and community interest company, which evolved out of the NHS in 2011. The organisation provides NHS funded community healthcare services throughout Bristol and the surrounding areas and operates more than 30 community healthcare services. From dermatology, district nursing and dietetics, prison healthcare, physiotherapy and palliative care, through to walk-in-centres and wound care our teams help people to live life well. For more information about Bristol Community Health visit www.briscomhealth.nhs.uk or follow us on twitter @juliaclarke_BCH