What is a Dietitian?
Dietitians are registered health professionals who are experts in food and nutrition.  Dietitians apply scientific knowledge to individuals and groups in different states of health and disease to improve overall health and wellbeing.

Dietitians must have an undergraduate science degree in human nutrition, a postgraduate diploma in dietetics, and meet the standards of competency and ethics required by the NZ Dietitians Board under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.

Dietitians within Waitemata DHB are part of a multidisciplinary team, and work with adults and children and their family/whanau/caregivers. The dietitian will assess, treat, educate and support people requiring nutrition input relating to medical and surgical treatments and management of chronic conditions.

What will the Dietitian do?
The dietitian will ensure a person and/or their family/whanau consents to their input.

In order to fully assess the person's nutritional needs the dietitian may gain information from medical records, the person, their family/whanau, and other health professionals involved in their care.

The dietitian may make specific recommendations as part of the person's treatment plan and will work with the person to achieve their goals.

Nutrition education may also be appropriate either once-off or on an ongoing basis, and any further follow-up required will be discussed with the person and their family/whanau.

What Adult Services are Available?

• INPATIENTS
  The acute dietitians will see some people while they are admitted to North Shore and Waitakere Hospitals, Mason Clinic, or CADS. There are a variety of reasons that a person may be referred to the dietitian by a doctor, nurse, or allied health staff.
   
• OUTPATIENTS
  Some people require ongoing monitoring and nutrition input after they are discharged from hospital. One or more clinic appointments with the dietitian may be appropriate for follow-up.
  
  A variety of clinics are offered, including the following specialist areas: weight management, bariatric surgery (for weight loss), general surgery, gastro.
  Clinics are available at North Shore and Waitakere Hospitals, and Hibiscus Coast Community Centre.
   
• COMMUNITY
  
  If a person requires ongoing monitoring and nutrition input and they are physically unable to attend an outpatient clinic, the community dietitian may visit the person in their own home. The community dietitians are based in North Shore, Waitakere, and Rodney districts.
   
• RENAL
  

  If a person has kidney disease they may be referred to a renal dietitian who works as part of the Renal Team. The person may be seen on the haemodialysis unit at Waitakere Hospital or in an outpatient clinic at North Shore or Waitakere Hospital. We aim to link our clinic appointments with the renal doctors when able.
  
  Food can play an important role in keeping healthy when you have kidney disease.  There is not one renal diet for everyone. The dietitian will assess the person's needs and provide them with specific information. 

   
• DIABETES
  The diabetes dietitians will see some people with diabetes for specialised nutrition input in an outpatient setting.  Clinics are based at North Shore and Waitakere Hospital sites, but some may also be available at New Lynn, Birkdale, Orewa, and Warkworth.

What Paediatric Services (0-16 years old) are available?

• INPATIENTS
  Dietitians see some children at SCBU (Special Care Baby Unit) at North Shore and Waitakere Hospitals, Rangatira Paediatric Unit at Waitakere Hospital and Wilson Centre.
   
• OUTPATIENTS
  Some children who require ongoing nutritional follow-up may see the dietitian in clinic at either North Shore or Waitakere Hospital, if they are well enough to attend an appointment with a family member/caregiver.
   
• COMMUNITY
  Community dietitians are based at the Child Development Service (CDS). Please refer to the Waitemata DHB Dietitian Referral Guide 0-16 years.

Please include the following information on all referrals:

• Patient's name
• NHI
• Medical history
• Reason for referral to the dietitian
• Name and contact number of the person referring
   

Adult Services

• INPATIENT
  During a hospital admission a person may be referred to the dietitian by a nurse, doctor, or allied health staff member.   Referrals will be prioritised and responded to according to our guidelines. The dietitian will aim to acknowledge referrals within 24 hours of receipt.
   
• OUTPATIENT
  The patient must give their consent to attend an outpatient clinic for follow-up. Translators are available on request, in advance.
  
  Referrals are accepted from all health professionals within Waitemata DHB, doctors and dietitians from other DHBs, KYM and independent midwives.
  Waitemata DHB staff self-referrals are also accepted.
  
  General Practitioner (GP) referrals are NOT accepted.
  
  Once the patient has received a letter with an appointment date/time they should confirm the appointment with Nutrition Services as per details on the letter. If you need to cancel your appointment please let Nutrition Services know as soon as possible.
   
• COMMUNITY
  Any person who requires specialised nutritional advice AND is not able to physically attend a hospital or community clinic is eligible for community dietitian input.
   

  Self-referrals are accepted, as well as those from GPs and any Waitemata DHB health professionals, with the patient’s permission.
   

  Where the patient is able access outpatient services or if a GP practice can meet a person's needs, referrals should be directed to those services instead.

   
• RENAL
  The patient must give their consent to attend an outpatient clinic for follow-up. Translators are available on request, in advance.
  
  Referrals are only accepted for people who are under the care of the renal doctors. If a person is not under their care they first need to be referred to the renal doctors.
  
  Referrals are accepted from all health professionals within Waitemata DHB, and doctors and dietitians from other DHBs.
  
  GP referrals are NOT accepted.
   
• DIABETES
  All people with Type 1 diabetes, and some people with Type 2 and gestational diabetes, may see a diabetes dietitian for specialised advice. 
  
  People with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes (diet controlled or on oral medications only) are not able to be seen by diabetes services.  GPs - please refer to page 2 of the Diabetes Referral Form.
   

Paediatric Services (0-16 years old)

Please refer to the Waitemata DHB Dietitian Referral Guide 0-16 years.

• INPATIENTS
  During a hospital admission a child may be referred to the dietitian by a nurse, doctor, or allied health staff member.  Referrals will be prioritised and responded to according to our guidelines. The dietitian will aim to acknowledge referrals within 24 hours of receipt.
   
• OUTPATIENTS
  Referrals are accepted from all Waitemata DHB health professionals, doctors and dietitians from other DHBs.
  
  Children must be under the care of a Waitemata DHB paediatrician, and must be well enough to travel to a clinic appointment with their family member/carer.
  
  GP referrals are NOT accepted.
   
• COMMUNITY
  Referrals are accepted from all Waitemata DHB health professionals, doctors and dietitians from other DHBs. Please refer to the Waitemata DHB Dietitian Referral Guide 0-16 years.

• CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICE
  Some children may be eligible to be seen by this service. Please refer to the Child Development Service for more information.              

Charges will apply for outpatient appointments with the dietitian if the patient does not have NZ citizenship, as per Waitemata DHB protocol.