THE BRITISH DIETETIC ASSOCIATION

The Professional Association for State Registered Dietitians

Me d i a R e l e a s e

Date: 14 August 1996

EMBARGOED UNTIL OO.O1 HRS 15 AUGUST 1996

DIETITIANS WORK TO FIGHT MALNUTRITION IN HOSPITALS

In their soon to be published report Malnutrition in Hospital, the British Dietetic Association urges that
people in hospital get the nourishment they need.

Malnutrition in hospitals is a common problem and appropriate and timely nutritional support plays a vital
role in recovery from illness.

Claire Plester, Clinical Dietitian at the Manchester Royal Infirmary and author of the report, said
receiving adequate nutrition in hospital, whether from food or special feeds, is an important part of a
patients overall treatment.

Malnutrition can lower patients immunity, increase risk of problems after surgery, delay wound healing
and reduce morale. This potentially adds up to a slower rate of recovery and more time in hospital said
Claire Plester.

Lyndel Costain, spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, commented dietitians, with their
unique qualifications, have a key role to play in the detection, management and prevention of hospital
malnutrition. But doctors, nurses, dietitians, catering staff and other health professionals must all work
together in the fight against this serious problem.

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Notes to Editors

The British Dietetic Association, founded in 1936 is the professional association for State Registered
Dietitians (SRDs) and qualified nutritionists in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Members of the
Association hold a degree or recognised post-graduate diploma in nutrition and/or dietetics.

The British Dietetic Association has around 4000 members of which approximately half are employed by
the National Health Service. Others work in education, industry, commercial and research settings or as
freelance dietetic consultants.

State registered dietitians interpret and communicate the science of nutrition in a practical way to
promote nutritional well-being, treat disease and prevent nutrition-related problems.

The Association publishes the standard textbook of dietetic practice The Manual of Dietetic Practice
and the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.

Note:

State registration is awarded by the Dietitians Board of the Council for Professions Supplementary to
Medicine (CPSM), under the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960, and is an indication that
a dietitian is competent to practise, and must work within the Statement of Conduct issued by the
Dietitians Board.

The general terms dietitian, dietary therapist, and nutritionist do not necessarily indicate eligibility for
state registration.






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