Patient Experience
The Clinical Nutrition department comprises of entry level, senior and clinical specialist dietitians who work across a range of specialties in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.
One in three patients on admission to St James’s Hospital are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. Dietitians use their knowledge of nutrition, physiology and science to promote health and individually assess and treat disease specific nutritional issues.
To be a dietitian in Ireland, you have to be registered with CORU Dietitians Registration Board. CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession health regulator. CORU’s role is to protect the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct and competence through statutory registration of health and social care professionals. All dietitians are required to follow a Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics and attain a high level standard of performance to remain on the register.
We calculate individual nutritional requirements and devise specific, individualised evidence based nutritional care plans to include therapeutic diets, tube feeding and oral nutritional support as well as health promotion. As part of the SCOPe directorate we work closely with the wider multidisciplinary team with patient care at the centre of our approach.
Our dietitians work across a range of specialty areas in the hospital including:
Dietitians work with patients with nutrition-related illnesses or chronic diseases. We work to ensure that patients get the best nutritional care, treatment, information and support at the earliest possible opportunity.
About your appointment
You have been given this appointment because you were referred to the dietitian by your doctor in St James’s Hospital. You will be sent 2 text messages as reminders before your appointment with the dietitian.
Your dietitian will assess your nutritional status and calculate your nutritional requirements. A specific nutrition care plan will be designed with you to meet your nutritional needs.
Notice of cancellation
If you are unable to attend your appointment for any reason, please contact us by phone or email at least 48 hours in advance. There is a waiting list to attend the dietitian. By cancelling your appointment in advance we can then offer this appointment to another person.
If you cancel two appointments within one year, you will be discharged from our service. If discharged, another referral will be required from your consultant to see the dietitian.
Non-attendance
If you do not attend your appointment, a further appointment will not be scheduled.
How to get to your appointment
Our outpatient clinics are held in different areas in the hospital;
- Suite 2 & 3 in the Outpatients Department, in the main hospital
- Diabetic Day Centre, in Hospital 5
- GEMS outpatients, Route 2, in the main hospital
Please check your appointment card or letter to see where your appointment will be. Please see here for a map of the hospital site.
Please see here for details of how to get to the hospital including public transport options and car parking facilities.
Feedback
We welcome any comments or suggestions for improvements to our service. In the case of feedback, please contact: Clinical Nutrition Manager, Sandra Brady on clinicalnutsec@stjames.ie or (01) 416 2180
Student Training
The Clinical Nutrition Department has been accredited as a base training hospital for undergraduate students of the Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Technological University Dublin and the University of Dublin since 1986. The department also provides nutrition placement for University College Cork and Ulster University at Coleraine.
Work Experience and Shadowing
The department actively participates in the training of student dietitians. As a result of this commitment, the opportunities for work experience or shadowing are limited.
Transition Year Work Experience
Unfortunately, the Clinical Nutrition Department at St James’s Hospital is not in a position to offer any transition year work placements at present. It is recommended that those interested in a career in dietetics also visit the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute.
The Department of Clinical Nutrition welcomes 4th-6th year students considering a career in Dietetics to our bi-annual Open Day. In recent times, this event has taken place virtually
The recording for the October 2021 Open Day can be found here.
Upcoming events will be advertised in due course.
Inquiries may be directed to clinicalnutritionsec@stjames.ie
Click on the links below to see more information on nutrition and health.
Please note that these resources and websites provide general information. Your dietitian may provide you with different advice that has been tailored to your specific condition/s.
Nutrition Facts and Recipes
HSE malnutrition supportive resources
UCC/HSE ‘Making the Most of Every Bite’ recipe book
Safefood ‘101 Square Meals’ recipe book
Community education programmes
HSE PHEW (community programme for healthy eating and weight management)
HSE Diabetes Education Programmes
Useful Websites
Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute.
Irish Cancer Society
Irish Heart Foundation
Diabetes Ireland
Dementia - Understand Together
Coeliac Society of Ireland
Irish Kidney Association
CORU - Regulating Health & Social Care Professionals
Irish Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism
European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism
St James’s Hospital requires applicants to complete a competency based application form for jobs within the dietetic department. Curriculum Vitae’s will not be accepted. Click here for more information on current vacancies.
We welcome any comments or suggestions for improvements to our service.
If you wish to provide feedback, please contact the Clinical Nutrition Manager, Ms Sandra Brady, at; clinicalnutritionsec@stjames.ie or call (01) 416 2180.
The Department of Clinical Nutrition has members of staff involved in research and audit, with many publications in peer-reviewed journals.