Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics

What is a Dietitian? A Dietitian is a health professional that is qualified to give accurate advice on all aspects of diet and nutrition. Mater Dietitians have a scientific background and an understanding of medical conditions that enables them to give nutritional advice that is specific to the individual and their medical condition or medical conditions.

Who do we see?
Dietitians work with patients who fall into two broad categories:

1. Patients who have a medical condition where adapting the diet has been
   proven to improve or maintain health. This includes patients with diabetes, coeliac disease, chronic kidney disease and heart disease.
2. Patients who are malnourished or at risk of becoming malnourished. Malnutrition is a deficiency of nutrients that has adverse effects on the body. It can occur during illness and can affect recovery and the length of time a patient stays in hospital. Signs of malnutrition include weight loss and muscle wasting.

What do we do? The Dietitian assesses the patient’s nutritional status, and with the patient/patient’s family prepares a nutrition treatment plan that supports the patient’s nutritional needs and quality of life. This plan may require adjustment as the patient’s condition changes.

Dietitians work closely with the medical/surgical teams, nursing staff, speech and language therapists, specialist nurses, pharmacy and other health professionals involved in patient care.

Access to the Service

Inpatients can be referred by medical, nursing or other professionals working with the patient. Inpatients can request a Dietitian consultation.
Patients who have lost significant weight unintentionally, or who are underweight, or who are unable to eat for more then 5 days should be referred to the Dietitian. Patients who require dietary advice or nutrition intervention as part of the management of a chronic disease such as diabetes, heart failure, coeliac disease or chronic kidney disease should also be referred.

Outpatients attending Mater Hospital OPD medical and surgical clinics can be referred by the consultant to the Dietitian OPD service. Appointments are sent by post. If you want to change the appointment, or cancel it, please follow the instructions in the appointment letter.
Dietitians work with different consultant clinics, and these may be held in different areas of the hospital. Always check which Dietitian Clinic and the appointment venue when travelling to the hospital for an appointment with the Dietitian.
Some Dietitian Outpatient Clinics are held in the Mater Clinic on Dorset Street. Directions are included in appointment letters.

Enquiries
On discharge, patients who have been given written dietary information for use at home/post discharge will have contact details for their Dietitian. Contact the Dietitian through the main switchboard (01-8032000), and give the name, and bleep number of the relevant Dietitian to the switchboard operator. Patients/Public health nurses who require the Head and Neck Cancer Dietitian, Aoife Gorham can make contact directly by text or phone on 087- 2029774.

Out patient appointment enquiries should use phone number 01-8032279. This phone has a voice mail service attached, please leave a message and include your phone number and name if you wish to have your call returned.

Patients who are attending the Dietitian in the Diabetes Day Centre can phone
01-8034619

Postal address:
Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics
Mater Hospital,
Eccles Street,
Dublin 7

Dietitian Manager: Mary Mc Kiernan. Ph 01-8034549 or mmckiernan@mater.ie
Department Secretary: Grainne O Meara Ph 01-8032279
Department Fax: 01-8034527