News release: Advice on the menu - but is it right?

Abstract

As more and more emphasis is placed on the food we eat and the effect that diet has on
our health, nurses and health professionals are fmding they are increasingly being asked
for advice on diet and lifestyle.
Government guidelines on caring for older people, patients with coronary heart disease
and diabetes sufferers, emphasise the need for health professionals to focus more on
aspects of diet and lifestyle. But many professionals still lack the specialist skills and
knowledge to enable them to do this most effectively.
Now Dr Pat Judd, nutritionist and dietitian in the Postgraduate School of Medicine and
Health at the University of Central Lancashire, has developed a learning programme
specially designed to tackle this problem. The 'Nutrition Matters' course will equip
nurses and practitioners with the know-how to give basic dietary advice and to identify
when referral to a specialist dietician is necessary.
With over 25 years of experience in teaching dietitians, Dr Judd has highlighted the
main areas of concern and designed a pro gramme which will enable health care
professionals to understand the nutritional and dietary requirements of some of the most
at-risk patient groups and to give high quality advice.
Covering areas such as the overweight patient, raised blood cholesterol, the under fives,
older people, diabetes, food intolerance and allergies, the course comprises eight
optional three-hour study sessions led by Dr Judd and local specialist dietitians. The
course will he held in September and October 2002 a the Preston Business Centre next
to Sharoe Green Hospital in Preston.
Dr Pat Judd says: "Good nutrition is now recognised to be an important part in
maintaining health and treating disease. Nurses and practitioners need to be able to
understand the nutritional and dietary requirements of a whole range of patients if they
are to provide the best quality advice."
Anyone requiring any further information about the course should contact Sarah Davies
in the Faculty of Health at the University on 01772 893837, email
stdavies @uclan.ac.uk.
31 July 2002
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