Gillian, can you tell us about a little bit about you?
I studied and qualified as a Dietitian from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Initially I worked at Law Hospital in Lanarkshire covering the medical, surgical, older adult and orthopaedic wards. I moved to Wishaw General Hospital with the team when it opened. It was there that I started to work more with people who had experienced a brain injury, stroke, dementia or experiencing issues with their mental health which sparked my interest.
After a few years a position came up to set up the mental health service for older adults. 20 years on, the mental health dietetic team provide support to adults of all ages right across Lanarkshire, who are receiving support for the mental health teams. Depending on what the needs are we see people at home, at local clinics and in the hospital mental health wards across the area. A number of the people we see have a cognitive impairment or a diagnosis of a dementia.
Gillian, why did you want to be a Dietitian?
Most people are drawn to dietetics because of a love of food. For me I was also drawn to dietetics because I wanted to work in healthcare and enjoy speaking to a range of different people. Dietetics certainly offers a good mix of this. I enjoy working as part of a team and problem solving as part of my job to help improve the nutrition of people receiving care.
Gillian, what is your current role in Dietetics?
As a Dietitian I interpret scientific information and best practice on nutrition into practical advice. We work to treat nutritional problems ranging from conditions such as poor appetite and unintentional weight loss secondary to other conditions, Diabetes, gut conditions such as Crohn’s, Colitis or Coeliac disease, disordered eating or nutritional deficiencies. I currently work as the clinical lead for the mental health dietetic service in Lanarkshire. My job includes providing patient care and helping to make changes to improve the service we provide. This can be developing resources such as leaflets, website or social media content or webinars. Offering support to colleagues on individual cases or by giving presentations to groups of staff or people using our services. It can also include working on projects to help improve what we can sustainably offer.
I am also a member of the Alzheimer Scotland Allied Health Professions Group. In this group we work together to improve practice and promote what we can offer people living with dementia locally and nationally.
Gillian, what does a typical day look like for you?
No two days are the same. One day I can be seeing people at one of our local health centre clinics and in the afternoon be attending a meeting or giving a presentation. The next day I could be out visiting people in their own homes and working with the person and their support network, which can be their family, friends or care agencies. Or I might be out visiting the mental health wards that I cover. Working with nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists to help support improvement in a person’s nutrition and hydration.
Gillian, what is the best part of your role?
There are two parts really. When you have been involved in someone’s care where they have been very unwell or their nutrition has been very poor and they make progress can be really rewarding. The second is when we have students with us on practical training who are initially unsure of working in mental health services or aren’t sure what Dietitians can offer a person living with dementia, but by the end of their time with us have enjoyed this, and are considering working in this area in the future.
Gillian, what advice would you offer other Dietitians when working in the mental health or dementia care?
Be human! Treat people how you would like yourself or a family member to be treated. Avoid using jargon, encourage a flexible approach, involve the person in their own care and provide reassurance where you can.
Gillian, where can people with lived experience find out more about your role as a Dietitian?
There is lots of good information about the role of Dietitians at the British Dietetic Association (BDA) website which can be found at www.bda.uk.com. You can also find a range of AHP self managements resources here
