Mission Statement
The Department of Nutrition and Dietetics aims to provide a quality service by delivering the appropriate dietetic intervention, whilst respecting individual beliefs and wishes.
Where we are?
What is a Dietitian / Clinical Nutritionist?
A Dietitian / Clinical Nutritionist is uniquely qualified to translate scientific information about food and nutrition into practical dietary advice. To work as a Dietitian in Ireland, you must hold at least a university degree in Nutrition and Dietetics or an equivalent qualification. All dietitians working in University Hospital Waterford are members of, or entitled to be members of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute – the professional body for dietitians in Ireland.
Role of the Dietitian / Clinical Nutritionist?
The Dietitian works closely with other members of the multi-disciplinary team (medical, nursing and other allied health professionals) to provide optimum patient care.
Dietitians are responsible for the nutritional care of patients while in the hospital setting:
- They carry out nutritional assessment of patients and design care plans to meet nutritional requirements or correct poor nutritional status.
- Where necessary the dietitian will organise nutritional support (tube feeding or intravenous feeding).
- Dietitians liaise with the catering department to provide patients with therapeutic diets, which are used to optimise the well being of patients with specific medical conditions.
Dietitians provide advice/education on the following areas:
- Cholesterol lowering and lipid modification
- Secondary prevention of heart disease and stroke
- Diabetes
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Weight gain (post illness/surgery)
- Weight reducing and weight management
- Gastrointestinal disorders (including inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal surgery leading to stoma formation)
- Cancer
- Kidney failure
- Swallowing difficulties
- Paediatrics
How to access the service?
The dietitian must receive an individual written referral from the patient’s medical team, before they can be seen for dietary or nutritional intervention/education. The patient can be seen by the dietitian as an in-patient, and / or in the out-patient department after they have been discharged.
Out-patient Service
If you cannot attend an appointment, please advise the Department on (051-842513) as early as possible.
GP referrals are not accepted.
Student Training
The department provides complementary student training to final year undergraduate students. All of these students are undergraduates of the University of Dublin Trinity College (TCD) / Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) Kevin Street B.Sc (Hons) Human Nutrition and Dietetics course.
Contact Information
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics
University Hospital Waterford
Waterford,
Ireland
Tel: 051 842103
To change an out-patient appointment please contact the number above and leave a voice message.
