Julia tells us about her role as a paediatric dietitian at CUH
Could you tell us about your training to become a dietitian?
I had completed a BSc in Pharmacology and was not keen to pursue the career opportunities open to me. A friend of mine had applied for the postgraduate Dietetic course which sounded very appealing – I enjoyed talking to people and I like food! I thoroughly enjoyed the training, both theory and practical.
The hospital placement was a real eye opener about putting the theory into practice.
Can you describe how you reached your current role?
I have worked at Addenbrooke’s for 16 years with no desire to leave! Each time I have wanted a new challenge something new has come along.
I came here as a newly qualified dietitian and worked in adult wards and clinics for about a year until the opportunity to work in paediatrics presented.
This was an area I was always interested in as the role of the dietitian in paediatrics is to support normal growth and development alongside any medical diagnoses.
How did you get into the role you have now?
I currently work part time 3 days a week. I work as part of the Paediatric Gastroenterology Team as well as the Paediatric Dietetic Team. The main part of my role is within the multidisciplinary Complex Feeding Clinic.
This is a clinic where a Consultant, Paediatric Psychologist, Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist and I run twice weekly clinics. We deal with children of all ages and their families with a wide variety of feeding concerns.
These range from the severe neurodisability children who require specialist feeds and tube feeding, to extreme behavioural difficulties surrounding food. My role is to ensure that the children are growing appropriately and meeting their macro and micronutrient requirements while counselling the families on how to achieve this.
Overall it is an extremely fulfilling role!