Time for a prevention-led model to rebuild the nation’s health.
With spiralling rates of obesity and unhealthy weight, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), cancer, and mental health concerns, to name but a few, BANT has published a five-point manifesto urging decisive action to future-proof the NHS.
Within the manifesto, BANT underlines the need to release NHS staff and resources currently tied to the care of chronic conditions to allow better outcomes in acute and critical care. GPs are facing a growing stream of chronically ill patients. The obvious solution is to bring Registered Nutritional Therapy Practitioners into primary care where they would ease the burden on surgeries.
BANT also argues the case for improving current dietary guidelines and resources – given the severely outdated and under-funded Eatwell Guide, alongside taking measures to reform food labelling and restrict ultra-processed foods and drinks (UPFDs), in a collective effort to create a food environment for good health.
There is currently no provision for nutritionists within the NHS and primary care.
For individuals living with a chronic condition and who could benefit from personalised nutrition and lifestyle support, the only access to care is privately.
Chronic disease places a huge burden on NHS resources. Those with chronic conditions are significantly more likely to see their GP, to be admitted as inpatients, and to use more inpatient days than those without such conditions.
The NHS aims to ‘support people with long-term conditions to be as independent and healthy as possible, preventing complications and the need to go into hospital’. Yet nutrition is not openly available on the NHS.
As we count down to a general election, we have a unique opportunity to integrate PSA-accredited Registered Nutritional Therapy Practitioners into NHS primary care settings:
- In GP surgeries for automatic referrals on diet-induced symptoms
- In out-patient settings to advise on nutrition next steps following treatment
- In paediatric clinics for dietary education for young families
- In integrative healthcare teams to provide active support for patients with metabolic, digestive, cardiovascular, inflammatory, and autoimmune conditions.
BANT is the leading professional body for Registered Nutritional Therapy Practitioners in one-to-one clinical practice and a self-regulator for BANT Registered Nutritionists®.