Surgery

Chairs

DOM UK Committee Member link

Adrian Brown

DOM UK Surgical Sub-group

Bariatric surgery is a recognised treatment option for morbidly obese patients. The dietitian is a key member of the multidisciplinary team. Patients need the expertise and the ongoing support from the dietitian to make the dietary and lifestyle changes necessary both before and following this surgery. In addition to DOM UK, the British Obesity Surgical Society (BOSS) has a subgroup of dietitians who work in the area of bariatric surgery. Both DOM UK and BOSS recognise and acknowledge the importance of collaborative working to support the needs of dietitians and patients and avoid duplication of effort.

The DOM UK Surgical Sub-group committee has been established and the following agreed:

Aim
DOM UK surgery sub-group and BOSS dietitians will work collaboratively to ensure appropriate guidance and support is available for all dietitians in the area of bariatric surgery.

Objectives

1. Identify areas where DOM UK members are seeking support.
2. Identify the areas in which DOM UK and BOSS can work together collaboratively to meet the needs of the dietitians e.g. position statements, training events and resources jointly endorsed by both groups.
3. Work collaboratively on the patient pathway and the role of the dietitian in various settings to support that.
4. To provide linkages between BOSS and DOM UK to encourage wider sharing of expertise and resources.
5. Issue joint guidance for dietitians in the area of bariatric surgery.
6. Develop or endorse suitable resources for dietitians and make these available through DOM UK website.
7. Facilitate access to training events and provide expertise when deemed appropriate.
8. Highlight the need for inclusion of bariatric surgery within the undergraduate curriculum and support delivery.
9. Use NICE guidance to influence the development of specialist obesity services at a local level to support commissioning of bariatric services.

The first meeting of the sub-group was held on the 16th May 2007. The membership of the committee was agreed and is comprised of dietitians representing the following areas: BOSS, Community, Specialist centres, Specialist Obesity clinics, Private sector/ Freelance, NHS Trusts who are not specialists, those with university contacts, those involved with commissioning bariatric surgery, DOM UK committee members.

At the meeting, it was agreed that the initial 4 streams of work would be as follows:
 Establishing the needs of DOM UK members (led by Jean Hughes)
 Development and/ or endorsement of suitable resources for dietitians (led by Mary O’Kane)
 The patient pathway (led by Hannah Fishlock and Anne Wheeler)
 Access to training events and expertise (led by Nerissa Walker) (need to link with DOM UK training subgroup).

Members of DOM UK are encouraged to contribute to this sub group work. It is expected that much of the work and communication will be carried out using the e-mail system rather than formal meetings. When a formal meeting is held, the last hour of the meeting will be set aside for members of the wider sub group to meet with the committee if they wish. Unfortunately DOM UK is unable to support travel expenses of the wider group.

For further information about the sub group, contact Mary O’Kane on Mary.O’Kane@leedsth.nhs.uk or 0113 392 3256 or the address below:
Mary O’Kane
Clinical Specialist Dietitian
The General Infirmary at Leeds
Great George Street
Leeds, LS1 3EX
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