WDLAG response to the Health and Social Care Committee on request for views on the functioning of primary care clusters and opportunities to support primary prevention and improve health outcomes.

The Wales Board of the British Dietetic Association are pleased to endorse this response of the Wales Dietetic Leadership Advisory Group (WDLAG) to the HSCC consultation on primary care clusters.

Dietitians across the four UK home countries play a pivotal role in the care of patients in primary care. They are the only appropriately qualified health professionals with the knowledge and experience in nutrition and diet that enable them to assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutrition problems at an individual and also a wider public health level. Uniquely, dietitians use the most up-to-date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease, which they translate into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.

It is important to be aware that dietitians are statutorily regulated, with a protected title and governed by an ethical code, to ensure that they always work to the highest standard. The title 'dietitian' can only be used by those appropriately trained professionals who have registered with the Health Care Professions Council and whose details are on the HCPC website.

Caroline Bovey

Chairman of the Wales Board of the British Dietetic Association