Nutrition and Dietetics
Who we are
The Nutrition and Dietetics Department provides a service to all inpatient units, specialist outpatient clinics and to some general outpatients to help children achieve optimal health and growth outcomes.
Dietitians offer ongoing assessment, advice and education for any inpatient referred by a PCH clinician as well as patients attending a number of specialty medical clinics.
Services we provide
PCH’s dietitians are available to consult on all aspects of infant and child nutrition including:
- assessment
- recommendations for nutritional management
- implementation of therapeutic diets within the hospital.
Dietitians can also discuss nutritional needs for the home with your family and provide education and advice on normal nutrition and any modifications that may be needed for special diets.
During a consultation, a dietitian will assess your child and work with you to develop a nutrition plan. With your permission, we will plan follow up appointments and keep in close contact with medical and other allied health professionals to help achieve the best outcomes for your child and your family.
If possible, please bring the following items to your child’s appointment:
- any letters from your GP, as well as diagnostic or medical tests
- a three day food record
- your child’s health record (the ‘purple book’).
Statewide Services
The Nutrition and Dietetics Statewide Service is based at PCH and provides telephone consultancy for health professionals on general nutrition issues for infants, children and adolescents.
The Statewide Service provides lectures and group work to:
- registrars, residents and nursing staff at PCH
- medical staff enrolled in the Diploma of Child Health Programme
- postgraduate dietetic students (Curtin University and Edith Cowan University)
- school nurses regarding dietary management of particular medical conditions, e.g. Diabetes and Cystic Fibrosis
The Statewide Service also assists with telephone queries from the community regarding infant, children and adolescent nutrition issues.
Referrals
We accept referrals from PCH doctors. We do not accept referrals from outside the hospital.