Dietetics in Mental Health, Eating Disorders and Learning Disabilities

Allied Health Professionals (AHP’s) contribution to
the mental health workforce is vital to deliver the
transformation set out in Five Year Forward View for
Mental Health (2016). Health Education England (HEE)
recognise dietitians as part of the AHP workforce that
can support this agenda (Health Education England, no
date). With specialist knowledge and skills to identify and
treat diet related conditions, dietitians have an integral
role within mental health services. The dietetic role within
mental health (MH), eating disorder (ED) and learning
disability (LD) services can vary depending on dietetic need
and commissioning arrangements however dietitians
have a crucial role to play across services working with
individuals, carers and healthcare professionals. Dietetic
services within MH, ED and LD can be trust wide with
dietitians working across more than specialist area.
Therefore, unless explicitly stated otherwise, when
referring to the 'MH dietetic workforce' or 'MH services'
in this report, we are encompassing dietitians working in
the fields of mental health, eating disorders, and learning
disabilities.