Overview
As part of our work within Primary Care Networks (PCNs), one of our dietitians delivered tailored training to health coaches and social prescribers to strengthen the multidisciplinary team’s (MDT) approach to supporting patients with diet-related health needs.
The session aimed to equip non-dietetic colleagues with practical, evidence-based knowledge and tools to confidently provide basic nutrition guidance, signpost effectively, and identify patients who may benefit from a direct referral to the dietitian.
Our Impact – Training Session
- 12 MDT staff trained (mix of health coaches and social prescribers)
- 100% reported increased confidence in discussing healthy eating with patients
- 92% felt better able to identify when to refer to a dietitian
- 100% found the training relevant and applicable to their role
- Positive feedback highlighted the practical examples, cultural awareness, and real-life case studies shared during the session
Topics covered during the session
The training was designed to be interactive, relevant, and directly connected to the everyday work of the MDT.
- Practical and actionable – Focus on realistic advice that can be shared in short patient contacts
- Clear referral criteria – Helping colleagues know when dietetic input is needed
- Cultural competence – Addressing food preferences, traditions, and barriers relevant to the local population
- Case study discussions – Applying learning to real-world scenarios the team had encountered
Training Structure
- Introduction & objectives – Clarifying the role of the dietitian and MDT collaboration
- Nutrition fundamentals – Healthy eating basics, portion guidance, and debunking common myths
- Condition-specific advice – Quick pointers for common PCN referrals such as type 2 diabetes, weight management, IBS, and malnutrition
- Referral pathways – How to refer, what information to include, and what the patient can expect
- Practical Q&A – Addressing challenges, sharing experiences, and creating action points for the team
Looking Ahead
Training like this strengthens the MDT’s ability to deliver consistent, high-quality nutrition advice and ensures patients are referred to dietitians at the right time.
We plan to roll out similar sessions across other PCNs we support, with options for:
- Condition-specific training modules
- Refresher sessions for existing staff
- Digital versions for remote or part-time team members
Who are Primary Care Dietitians?
Primary Care Dietitians is England's leading independent provider of specialist dietitians for Primary Care Networks. We partner with 300+ GP practices to deliver evidence-based nutrition care that improves patient outcomes, reduces prescribing costs and eases pressure on GPs.
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