Lead Dietitian

What is your role within the Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System?

I work as a Lead Community Management Specialist Dietitian in Surrey Heartlands. I lead on the development and implementation of nutritional prescribing policies and initiatives.

The role of a dietitian is to translate the science of nutrition into everyday information about food and advise people on their food and nutrition choices.

Dietitians assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutritional problems at an individual and wider public health level. We use the latest public health and scientific research on food, health and disease to help people make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.

We are the only nutrition professionals to be regulated by law, and are governed by an ethical code to ensure that we always work to the highest standard.

How long did you study or train for this role?

Following my A Levels, I completed my degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. This took four years including clinical placements in hospitals and community dietetic departments.

How did you start out in your role?

I have been a dietitian for over 20 years.  I have always enjoyed the challenge of starting a new service.

I joined Guildford and Waverley Clinical Commissioning Group as a prescribing support dietitian in 2015.

As the team expanded, I took a lead role, before going on to lead the team across Surrey Heartlands in July 2022.

What entry-level jobs should someone pursue if they are looking to follow a similar career trajectory?

The great thing about dietetics is that you can move between specialities fairly easily.

Entry level dietetic roles that give both acute and community experience are helpful.

Experience of working in nutrition support and paediatrics is also helpful, as these are areas of key clinical knowledge. 

What skills are most important in your job?

Policy and guideline writing are important, as well as data interpretation to analyse prescribing data.

Communication and networking skills are also important to enable collaborative working with clinical specialists in different fields.

What are the biggest challenges you face in your role?

Working across multiple organisations and organisational boundaries can be challenging. In turn, it's exciting when we action changes to processes by working collaboratively.

What are the biggest rewards in your role?

Making a difference to individuals, both patients and staff, through the creation of guidelines and implementation of service redesign which can support people to live healthier lives.

Top tips for others thinking about working as a Dietitian?

Find out if there are opportunities for joint working in your local area. Reach out to your local team – you'll be surprised how they will embrace things.

Look out for opportunities to stretch your skill set and personal development – perhaps through fixed term posts, secondments and roles within Primary Care Networks (PCNs) as potential opportunities.

Your next step on your career pathway?

I’m not sure yet!  I do enjoy a new challenge and transformational work, so I will have to see what comes along.