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Referral
Adult Dietetics
Scope
Any condition that will benefit from nutritional intervention and support, including but not limited to:
- Gastroenterology, including Coeliac disease, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) e.g., Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis
- Diabetes
- Weight Management, including post-bariatric surgery
- Eating Disorders
- Nutrition support, including Oncology
Out of Scope
- Patients who are not registered with a Devon GP
- For under 18s consider a referral to Paediatric Dietetics
- Patients who are unwilling or unable to engage with the complexities of the service
e.g., active psychosis, suicidal ideation, severe learning difficulties (please assess suitability of Mental Health and Learning Disability patients and contact a member of the Dietetic team if required on 01271 322306)
- Ensure that patient is ready to engage in lifestyle behaviour change
- There are no mandated assessment requirements prior to referral to this pathway. Appropriate investigations should be performed to confirm a diagnosis and exclude differentials. Please see the relevant guidance for these conditions:
e.g. Pathway for Diagnosis and Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Adults Aged 18-50 years old
- Red flag symptoms need to be fully investigated and serious pathology excluded prior to referral
- Please see the appropriate condition pages for details on red flags and appropriate investigations
e.g. 2 week wait
Pathway for Diagnosis and Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Adults Aged 18-50 years old
- Appropriate investigations should be performed to confirm a diagnosis and exclude differentials. Please see the relevant guidance for these conditions:
e.g. Pathway for Diagnosis and Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Adults Aged 18-50 years old
Consider whether referral to alternative pathways is more appropriate:
- Weight Management:
- Please consider whether referral to the North Devon Specialist Weight Management Service is appropriate.
- If patient does not meet the criteria for the North Devon Specialist Weight Management Service, but has a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, hypertension or both, please consider referral to the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme
- If patient does not meet the criteria for either of the above services, should be referred to the national NHS website ‘Better Health’
- Eating Disorders: Consider whether referral to the Community Eating Disorders Service (CEDS) via the Single Point of Access is appropriate
Once a referral is received it is triaged by a senior clinician and prioritised. There are two potential outcomes:
- The patient will be added to the waiting list and contacted by the hospital when an appointment becomes available (we aim to see urgent referrals within 10 working days)
- The referral will be returned to the GP with advice on future management
Referral Criteria
Please ensure that the following information is included within the referral:
- Relevant past medical history and current medication
- Any significant social history
Referral Instructions
e-Referral Service Selection
Specialty: Dietetics
Clinic Type: Not Otherwise Specified
Service: ND Dietetics Referral Assessment Service - NDDH - RH8
Referral Form
Patient Information
- British Dietetics Association (BDA) Food Fact Sheets
- MyHealth Devon website
Pathway Group
This guideline has been signed off on behalf of the NHS Devon.
Publication date: July 2022
