This guidance is part of the Community Nutrition and Dietetic Service Referral Guidance
Children over the age of one year, with a diagnosed single allergy such as peanut allergy or egg allergy can be referred to the community dietitian.
Children under the age of one year, children with an undiagnosed allergy or multiple allergies are not appropriate to refer to the community dietitian.
Constipation is a common condition in childhood. Please click on the following link for dietary advice Constipation advice for families - NHSGGC. Children requiring further dietary advice can be referred to the community dietitian.
There is an NHSGGC patient pathway for children with suspected Cows Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) the following link has been provided for your information: Cow's milk protein allergy in infants, Paediatrics (300) | NHSGGC
The pathway includes the steps for referrers confirming a diagnosis of Non IgE CMPA prior to referring to the dietitian.
Diagnosis is achieved using a 2 - 4 week elimination of cow’s milk from the diet and reintroduction being attempted. Parents should be supported to follow this pathway for diagnosis by either their GP or Health Visitor. Once diagnosis is complete a referral to dietetics should be sent to the relevant dietetic service:
Parents, family or carers of a child who is a fussy or faddy eater may find this first line material helpful Fussy Eating - NHSGGC. Where further advice is required a referral can be made to the community dietitian.
The community dietitian will complete a general dietary assessment and provide general advice on what foods and drinks to include, increase or exclude or reduce from the diet.
Information for Children - NHSGGC
Please note: community dietitians are not specialists in child and adolescent mental health. Patients either requiring specialist dietary assessment / advice from a Community Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) dietitian or patients who are already under the care of CAMHS are not appropriate for the community dietitian. Below are two links, one to the CAMHS referral criteria and one is a link to Fussy Eaters self-help material developed by CAMHS dietitians.
CAMHS Referral Criteria (nhsggc.org.uk)
CAMHS Fussy Eaters Information Sheet
There is a wide range of self-support information available from the British Dietetic Association (BDA) website including information on healthy eating for children. The following link has been provided for your information: Healthy eating for children | British Dietetic Association (BDA)
Community dietitians can undertake dietary assessment and advise some paediatric patients on conditions such as faddy eating / poor weight gain, constipation, mineral or vitamin deficiency and vegetarianism.
The NHSGGC Dietetic website contains helpful information on weaning. The following link has been provided for your information: Starting Solids
Children with faltering weight should initially have a first line assessment and advice from the Health Visitor. Children over the age of 2 years requiring further assessment or dietetic input can be referred to the community dietitian. Children under the age of 2 years are not appropriate for the community dietitian.
Children from the age of 1 - 11 years with a BMI centile > 91st should be referred to community dietetics. They will be offered an initial assessment, advice and sign posting.
Young people aged between 12 – 18 years with a BMI of >25 or >91st centile should be referred to ‘Weigh To Go’.
GPs can refer through SCI Gateway, other health professionals can request a referral form by calling 0141 451 2727 or emailing: yhs-wtg@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Self-referral for young people and their families is also available by calling the Weigh To Go Youth Health Service on 0141 451 2727, consent from the young person for all referrals is required.
Young people and carers / parents can find out more information by using this link Weigh to Go - NHSGGC
GGC - Primary Care