Dietitians in the Community Report of an Exploratory Study

The current provision of dietary services in the community and the demands falling on dietitians working in the community was studied by means of postal questionnaires to all medical officers of health of local health authorities, secretaries to hospital management committees and clerks to boards of governors of teaching hospitals in England, and by interviews with selected dietitians.

Considerable differences were found between regions in respect of the employment of hospital dietitians, as well as in the involvement of hospital dietitians with the community. It was learnt that 379 dietitians (whole time equivalents) were employed in hospitals in England, that 42% of H.M.C. groups did not employ dietitians, and that 23.5% of established posts were unfilled. Only nine local health authorities and three general practices were found who employed dietitians and most of these appointments were recent innovations.