JUST A MINUTE…why trust a dietitian?

In true BBC Radio 4 style, if you had ‘just a minute’ with a key stakeholder or decision maker, how and what would you say to promote the importance of your role as a dietitian and the impact of the dietetic profession?

With the introduction of new commissioning structures throughout the UK, dietitians have to be prepared to make the most of any chance opportunity to speak with key stakeholders.

As your professional body and trade union, our key purpose is to promote and raise the profile of the profession, but it’s also up to you as individuals to be well equipped and prepared to take advantage of any chance encounters with key stakeholders/decision makers.

As part of the Trust a Dietitian campaign, we’re equipping you with tools and resources to help you promote yourself as a Dietitian and the dietetic profession fully.   ‘Just a Minute’ empowers you to identify vital messages you would like to convey to the key stakeholder or decision maker, should you have a limited amount of time to promote the impact and value of your service.

The key to ‘just a minute’ is to generate three strong points to promote the added value your service provides and how you help the NHS achieve efficiency savings.  Remember to keep your statements brief yet clear and concise.

Just a Minute

Outline 3 positive statements about your service:

1. Who are dietitians? Make sure key stakeholder/ decision maker know who you are and what dietitians do.
2. What does your service deliver? (Include outcome measures if known)
3. Take home message for the key stakeholder/ decision maker. One short key message, e.g. how you can help the commissioner understand the importance of dietetics or how dietetics can improve patient outcomes, reduce costs and enable quicker discharges.

You might wish to use words such as Quality, Efficiency, Reducing costs, Meeting patient needs, and Delivering outcomes in your take home message.