Nutrition Dietetics accordion

Referrals are made to the department by either the medical team or an allied health care professional (nursing, physiotherapist, speech and language therapist, occupational therapist or radiographer).

In-patients

When admitted to the ward, all patients are nutritionally screened and if identified at risk of malnutrition, are referred to the dietitian. Patients can also be referred by other members of the team. Referrals are collected daily, Monday–Friday, by the department and prioritised in accordance with departmental standards. Nutritional screening is repeated weekly by nursing staff during a patient’s admission.

Radiotherapy

Any patient having side effects of cancer or treatment can be referred by any health care professional whilst having radiotherapy.

Outpatients

Patients with upper gastrointestinal cancers: When patients attend Velindre Cancer Centre for their first appointment with the medical team they are nutritionally screened and if identified at risk of malnutrition, are referred to the dietitian. The dietitian is normally able to assess them on the same day. Patient’s weight and eating are monitored by the team at every subsequent appointment, and if any problems are identified then they can be referred to the dietitian.

Patients with head and neck cancers: When patients attend for their appointment with the medical team they can be referred to the dietitian if any nutritional problems are identified by the team. During radiotherapy patients are routinely seen by the dietitian in their review clinic appointments.
Patients without upper gastrointestinal or head and neck cancers: Anyone who is identified as having nutritional problems can be referred to their local dietitian for assessment. This is usually done by the GP.