Renal - My Renal Dietitian

The role of the renal dietitian

A renal dietitian offers specialist evidence based dietary advice to patients with kidney disease, after consideration of the following:

• Blood results
• Stage of disease
• Appetite
• Treatment
• Food preferences
• Other medical conditions

We work closely alongside the renal doctors and nurses to prevent further complications such as heart disease, as well as trying to help manage any symptoms you may have.

These symptoms may include:

• Altered taste
• Poor appetite
• Itching
• Nausea

These are some of the areas a renal dietitian can give you support and information:

• Limiting the salt in your diet
• Reducing minerals in your blood such as potassium and phosphate
• How to keep to your fluid restriction
• Staying well-nourished if you’ve lost your appetite
• Pre-dialysis dietary advice
• Diet on haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis

Where and how can I see a renal dietitian?

There is often a dietitian in the renal clinics that you attend, this may include:

• The Advanced Kidney Care Clinic
• Home Haemodialysis Clinic
• Peritoneal Dialysis Clinic
• Young Adult Clinic
• Conservative Care Clinic

There is opportunity to speak to a dietitian by phone if you do not attend one of these clinics. A dietitian also visits each of the following Kidney Care Centres - in Salford, Bolton, Wigan, Rochdale and Oldham once a week.

What will happen at my appointment?

We ask a lot of questions about what you eat and even what you don’t. However, there is a reason for all this questioning. We’re trying to establish your normal eating pattern, the foods you normally eat, how much and how often you normally eat them. With this information, we are then able to assess your diet and give the appropriate advice. We will also support you in any changes to your diet that are required. This advice is very individual to each person, which is why we ask you not to gain dietary advice off the internet and similar sources.

Telephone: 0161 206 1994 (answerphone available) between Monday to Friday 8am – 4pm or email renaldietitians@nca.nhs.uk