dietician

Liver Unit Website

Dietetic Service

The dietitians are involved in the care of all patients with chronic or acute liver failure and those post liver transplant. We aim to see patients during their admission and if required as an outpatient once discharged. Nutrition plays an important role in the management of all patients with liver disease and improving the nutritional status of these patients is the aim of the dietetic service.

Patients will be individually assessed and the dietitian’s role is to:

Assess current nutritional needs
Calculate nutritional requirements
Formulate a care plan
Liaise with nursing, medical, catering and other staff to achieve nutritional goals.
To educate the patient and/or carer on how to meet nutritional requirements following discharge.
Monitor progress both in hospital and as an outpatient.

Patients with liver disease have very high energy and protein requirements and should not be given unnecessary restrictions of protein, fat or salt. Individual assessment and advice for patients with liver disease is vital

The British Liver Trust has produced a very good leaflet which describes all aspects of diet and liver disease and can be found at www.britishlivertrust.org.uk. This leaflet was written by a state registered dietician and includes information on healthy eating for those with liver disease and what to do when you have a poor appetite or need to follow certain restrictions

Those patients who may require dietary restrictions or are suffering from loss of appetite usually benefit from advice of a dietitian in order for their needs to be assessed. Your GP or hospital outpatient doctor can make this referral.

Our contact telephone number is 0113 2068645