Departments > Nutrition & Dietetics

Nutrition & Dietetics

The role of the dietitian in the hospital is to provide nutritional care to patients who are referred to the department from the various services across the hospital.  Compromised nutrition in a hospital setting can lead to slow healing and recovery and may extend hospital stays.  The dietitian completes patient nutrition assessments on an individual basis based on clinical priority.  Diet sheets are developed based on clinical guidelines and used as a resource to educate patients and families.

The goals of rehabilitation are to reach and maintain the highest possible level of function and quality of life and to prevent secondary complications.  Nutrition has a strong role to play in achieving these goals, e.g. if a patient is meeting their full nutrition and hydration requirements, they are able to obtain the maximum benefit from their rehabilitation programme.

For further information, contact Zoe McDonald, Senior Dietitian, at 01 4066 694.