Becky Hartley shares her experiences as a specialist dietician in eating disorders, a new role at Addenbrooke's to help patients in their recovery.
Sadly the number of eating disorder cases across the UK is rising, with more demand on hospital treatment.
In response, this new role has been created at Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) and aims to improve outcomes for patients.
Becky, what’s your role in our hospitals?
I’m a dietitian with a special interest in eating disorders.
Patients may be admitted to Addenbrooke’s for medical stabilisation as a consequence of their eating disorder, or have lived with an undiagnosed eating disorder for some time.
Whilst dietitians are not able to provide psychological treatment, delivering kind and safe medical care involves having an understanding of the physiological impacts, alongside helpful communication strategies.
My role involves devising safe nutritional plans for patients when they are admitted for medical stabilisation, liaising with the community eating disorder team and liaison psychiatry.
All medical and nursing students receive training about eating disorders, but some may still find it a challenge to know how to care for patients who may not be willing to engage in the treatment plan.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
A large part of my job is developing and rolling out training to staff and patients, and this is the bit I enjoy most about my role.
We are planning formal teaching to nursing staff across the Trust on the wards where eating disorder patients are usually admitted to, and I would like to develop teaching in the emergency department and for the medics there too.
With patients themselves, I come across misunderstandings and a lack of confidence on an almost a daily basis, and I love being able to challenge some of this and help them to build a more positive approach.
I 've had positive feedback from patients, and it feels good to have been able to improve their inpatient experience.
Becky Hartley, special dietician in eating disorders, CUH
Tell us about your CUH journey
Upon qualifying, my first job was actually at Addenbrooke’s over 20 years ago.
I have undertaken a variety of positions since, but the job that I have found the most rewarding was working in a community adult eating disorder service.
This was based in Ipswich and, as I live in Cambridge, the daily commute became too much. Now I can cycle to work!
What does a usual day look like?
I never quite know what to expect when I walk in each day.
Sometimes patients become too unwell to be cared for by the community eating disorder team, and need to be admitted to hospital for treatment, which includes the reintroduction of nutrition in a supervised way, alongside management of eating disorder behaviours.
There are also patients who are admitted for a range of issues, but where an eating disorder is very much part of their life and medical history.
We know that sometimes eating disorders migrate over time, and it is important to assess people to see where they are in terms of thinking and behaviours around food, weight and shape.
A large part of my job is developing this new post and rolling out training.
Can you tell us what you like about working at CUH?
I enjoy working with my dietetic colleagues, who are a supportive, hardworking but fun.
I enjoy the opportunities for personal development. The dietetic department is supportive of research and development and I have been supported to undertake a Pre Internship Masters for one year.