It's Dietitians Week and this year's theme is to celebrate life-long careers, so who better to hear from than Trinity's very own Dietetic Service Lead, Caroline! Hear more about Caroline's career below.

I chose dietetics because…

I did a degree in Biological Science and knew that I wanted to work with people in a clinical environment rather than in a lab based role. My clinical tutor suggested a career like Dietetics and as it happened a friend had just started their degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. I thought the course sounded fascinating and after spending a day in a local hospital Dietetics Department, I was hooked! I have never regretted my choice and in a very varied career in the NHS and in Hospices, I have always been proud to call myself a Dietitian.

 

My first role in dietetics...

Like many newly qualified Dietitians, my first role was in a hospital dietetic service where I covered a wide range of specialisms. I always wanted to work in a hospice, though this was (and still is) very unusual for Dietitians. As a Head of Community Dietetics in Bromley in the late 1990s, I was approached by St Christopher’s Hospice in Sydenham, to set up a brand new Dietetic Service. I was in a position to deliver the service as my clinical role and I jumped at the chance. Since then I have set up and delivered hospice Dietetic services in and around London, including the current service at Royal Trinity Hospice.

 

Celebrating us...

In May 2023 I set up a brand new Hospice Dietetic Service at Royal Trinity Hospice. The provision of Dietetics in hospices is variable, ranging from no service at all through to small teams of Dietitians seeing a variety of patients. My role at Trinity covers both the Inpatient Unit and the hospice Living Well service. Working 3 days a week means that this is a very busy role; I am lucky to work within the Therapies Teams with the support of physios, Occupational Therapists and Complementary Therapies as well as being an integral part of the hospice multidisciplinary team. The role has gone from strength to strength and in addition to clinical support for patients and their families, I have set up a hospice Nutrition group, developed a range of nutrition related policies and worked closely with the catering team to ensure that our patients individual eating and drinking needs are met.

 

My alternative route in dietetics...

In July 2024 I will have been registered as a Dietitian for 35 years. Over this time, I have done a wide range of roles, including as Specialist Dietitian for Diabetes, Specialist Dietitian in Critical care and enteral feeding, as well as my current role in Palliative Care. I have been head of department in acute hospitals and in community teams; and I have done a range of senior management roles in a variety of settings. My Dietetic training and opportunities for a wide range of professional development have meant that I have had a stimulating and varied career. I have seen Dietetics and the wider health service change and develop; when I first qualified, Palliative Care didn’t exist as a speciality and now I am in touch with Palliative Care Dietitians in all parts of the UK.

 

The pinnacle of my career...

In 2017, I completed my Masters in Palliative Care at the Cicley Saunders Institute receiving a Distinction. I was exceptionally lucky to be taught and supported by leaders in the field of Palliative Care, working alongside a range of clinicians from across many disciplines and from all over the world. A truly enriching experience.

And most days, I am fortunate enough to work with patients and those close to them at a very important time in life’s journey, as they approach their death. Being able to provide support to maximise quality of life, acknowledging not just the nutritional impact but the important social and emotional role that eating and drinking play in our lives means I have the opportunity to play a small part in ensuring our patients and those close to them are truly cared for; I consider myself lucky to be a Dietitian.

Living Well outpatient services Your team in the hospice and at home