Nutrition and Dietetics

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Assessment and management of conditions requiring nutritional counselling or dietary intervention

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Scope

Some clinics are held in conjunction with Paediatric Services, Diabetes Services, PEG Services (Gastro), Renal Services, and Oncology Services

Focus is on dietetic counselling, support and intervention in clinical conditions. Aims are to:

  • Overcome barriers to adequate nutrition
  • Prevent or slow nutritional decline
  • Prevent an adverse response to food components
  • Reduce or manage symptoms
  • Promote optimal physiology and function through dietary change in disease conditions

A number of nutrition services are not available because of limited funding:

  • General lifestyle counseling for fat loss, heart disease, hypertension, non-complex diabetes
  • Adult allergy investigation and advice
  • Disordered eating
  • Encopresis
  • Ketogenic diets

Emergency conditions

Direct patients to the Emergency Department if urgent assessment/management is required, e.g. for the following conditions/symptoms (not exclusive):

  • PEG pulled out

Referral process

We run a limited number of clinics and waiting times can be up to a few months. We prioritise patients referred to us, and encourage referrals to private dietitians when possible.

For patients in scope (see above) a referral is required for all new appointments and must conform to the Referral Standards as outlined on For Clinicians. Where available (currently THS North and North West), please refer via HealthLink eReferral through your software system (either Best Practice, or Medical Director). For instructions, see Quick Guide: Creating an eReferral.

Specific requirements are detailed in the individual clinic and condition referral guidelines.

Clinic Appointments - Appointments are based on clinical priority:

Emergency

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception  – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.

Routine / category 3

Next available appointment

Referral template

For use by health professionals only

Additional information

The Dietitian will reply to the referring GP after seeing a new patient.