The HCPC protects the public
The title ‘dietitian’ (and even ‘dietician’) is protected in law in the UK and only those with the appropriate qualifications and have registered with the Health Professions and Care Council (HCPC) are allowed to use ‘dietitian’ as a descriptive of who they are and what they do.
The HCPC says on its website:
“We currently regulate the following professions: arts therapists, biomedical scientists, chiropodists / podiatrists, clinical scientists, dietitians, hearing aid dispensers, occupational therapists, operating department practitioners, orthoptists, paramedics, physiotherapists, practitioner psychologists, prosthetists / orthotists, radiographers, social workers in England and speech and language therapists.
“It is a criminal offence for someone to claim that they are registered with us when they are not, or to use a protected title that they are not entitled to use. We will prosecute people who commit these crimes.
“If a registrant does not meet our standards, we can take action which might include stopping them from practising. This means that if you are unhappy with the care or services you are given, or worried about the behaviour or health of a registrant, you can always raise your concerns with us.”
