In this section

The BDA are invited to respond to a wide range of consultations from external organisations, including the Government Departments, Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) to name a few. 

It is important that the BDA responds to consultations that are of relevance to the profession to ensure that our views are heard, but also to raise our profile and to seek further involvement and opportunities to be involved on issues of particular importance to the profession.

Look out for consultations in your area of expertise by signing up to specialist interest groups as well as opportunities advertised in members monthly and the research ezine. We greatly appreciate members’ comments and input into any BDA response. If you identify a consultation that you feel is relevant and would like support with responding, please contact us. 

Policy

Policy consultations can be on a wide range of issues, from the very grand to the very specific. This might be from government departments, arms length bodies or even parliamentary committees. These consultations can have impact on national level policy and are an important way to raise the profile of dietetics.  

Policy consultations are managed in several ways:

  • BDA responds centrally and collates comments from the whole membership
  • BDA Specialist groups are notified of new consultations relevant to their field and would decide if a response was required
  • A member of the profession with expert knowledge would be identified to take the lead on the response
  • A BDA board is identified to take the lead on the response

Look out for current and recently completed policy consultations on our policy consultation pages. 

For any further information, to notify us of a policy consultation you think we've missed or to provide any comments on a consultation, please email t.embury@bda.uk.com 

National Institute of Health & Care Excellence

The National Institute of Health & Care Excellence (NICE) develop evidenced-based national guidance and advice for healthcare professionals on health and social care topics. The BDA are a stakeholder for many NICE guidelines and quality standards, therefore, are invited to support and or respond to all stages of there development. These offer great CPD opportunities for members - allowing them to influence NICE guidelines with their knowledge and experience. Here are some useful links in you are interested in responding to NICE consultations: 

If you would like to find out more about these opportunities, please email us.

Current Consultations

  • Coeliac disease guideline - consultation on the need to update the guideline. Currently out for consultation and closes on 5 November 2019 

If you would like to support with any of these, please contact us.

Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network

The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) develop evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland.

 

SIGN consultations are open to all. This provides an opportunity for health care professionals, patients, health service managers, and other interested groups to comment on the draft recommendations and to influence the final form of the guideline. For further information visit their website.

Practice-based Evidence for Nutrition

We are in a global partnership with Practice-based Evidence for Nutrition (PEN). Therefore we are 

asked to author, and peer review PEN content from a UK perspective. In addition to considering a UK perspective, peer reviewers are asked to review the accuracy, clarify and usefulness from a practitioner perspective. You may find the following links useful:

For PEN peer review opportunities, please see their website. 

If you would like to support with any of these, please contact us.