Meet our AHPs

My role 
Whittington gave me my first paediatric dietitian role, working mainly at local clinics and in three schools as part of the Islington Additional Needs and Disability Service. Along with other specialists, I help children and families in our local population with issues such as faltering growth, food allergies, selective eating, IBS and nutrient deficiencies. We also deal with children who need to be tube-fed and we assess and monitor their nutritional needs in order to come up with feeding plans.

 

I love the variety of work the role gives me and the fact I get to work closely with the multi-disciplinary team (including occupational therapists, physios and speech and language therapists). It’s a good feeling to come together to work out how best to support the children whose care we share and to bounce ideas off each other.

 

I love science and food and dietetics brings the two together beautifully. I am never bored and I can’t believe I am lucky enough to have a job that combines two of my passions! I worked with the elderly before, which was rewarding, but with children you are right in there at the beginning of their development and have the potential to make a long-term difference.

 

I have a few projects in the pipeline, which my manager is supporting me with. For instance, many of our children are selective eaters, so I’m hoping to set up group advice sessions. I also want to set up a weight-neutral cardioprotective intervention, focused on the body’s hunger/fullness signals, and integrating healthy behaviours into the lives of teens without aiming for weight loss. 

 

I’ve been given time out as part of my AHP Preceptorship to research and study and I’ve found I have more opportunity at Whittington Health for continued professional development than in my previous role. Supervision with my manager happens regularly and the senior team is always on hand if I need advice or back up.

 

I enjoy being autonomous in my work. I have my own caseload and can arrange my schedule myself. If I feel I need to give more time to some complex admin, I can do that and can juggle priorities as I like. There is a supportive atmosphere among colleagues, both in the hospital and in the community.