The Department of Health is pleased to announce that the University of Ulster has approved the Noble’s Hospital Dietetic Service as a provider of practical training for Dietetic students. Registered Dieticians (RDs) are uniquely qualified to translate scientific information about food and nutrition into practical dietary advice for patients and their carers. As well as providing impartial advice about nutrition and health, dieticians are also involved in the prevention and treatment of nutrition-related problems and in the treatment of disease and illness. Training in Dietetics consists of a four year degree course and includes the study of the science of nutrition and dietetics, the supportive sciences of chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, biology, immunology, genetics, pharmacology, pathology, food science, epidemiology and statistics, as well as social sciences, such as sociology, psychology, communication and management. To be eligible for state registration students must also undertake a minimum of 28 weeks practical training. It is this practical training that can now be undertaken at Noble’s Hospital. Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK, said “I am delighted that Noble’s Hospital has been accredited to provide this kind of specialist training. This attainment, one of many new on-Island training opportunities, just goes to show what the Island has to offer to students who wish to study here in the Isle of Man. The addition of this course has further enhanced the Department’s extensive range of training, which also includes professional programmes in nursing and mental health. It is a truly fantastic accomplishment, so well done to everyone who worked so hard to achieve this result.” Bev Critchlow, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Therapies said “We are very pleased to be approved as a provider for practical Dietetic training and I would like to congratulate the Dietetic Service for making this possible. It will mean that students who wish to practice in the Isle of Man can complete an essential part of their training here, which will greatly improve continuity both for them and their patients. This achievement also recognises the high standard of care provided by our Dietetic team.” Sarah Surgeon, Advanced Specialist Paediatric Dietician, added “This is a welcome development for the Dietetic Service; we are all looking forward to the rewarding challenge of supporting students to use theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom to develop the practical skills necessary to work as a clinical Dietician.” Currently the Dietetic Service for the Isle of Man is provided by six Dieticians, based at Noble’s Hospital. The Service treats a wide range of conditions, including malnutrition, diabetes, eating disorders, allergies and intolerances, and obesity. Access to a Dietician is usually via a referral from a medical practitioner and Sarah encourages anyone who feels they would benefit from the Service to discuss this with their GP. A statement from the British Dietetic Association, the professional body for Dieticians in the UK, says: Registered Dieticians (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, dieticians 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. Dieticians 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. Dieticians work in the NHS, private practice, industry, education, research, sport, media and government. Their advice influences food and health policy across the spectrum from government, local communities and to individuals. - ENDS -