Services for children

Children's Dietitians service

First Community's dietitians are qualified and experienced dietitians who provide a service in the community for children, including children with a learning disability.

Our team works across east Surrey and West Sussex to assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems.

What is a dietitian?

Registered dietitians are the only qualified health professionals that assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems at an individual and wider public health level. Uniquely, dietitians use the most up-to-date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease to enable you to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.

What does the service provide?

Aims of the service

To ensure children are meeting their nutritional requirements
To monitor children's growth and weight and ensure that they are thriving
To prevent admission / re-admission to hospital
To maximise the overall well-being of children and to promote optimal health
To enhance the quality of life for children and their families
To help manage any food restrictions or exclusions.

Who we are and what we do

We are a friendly team of qualified children's dietitians.

We are focused on providing first-rate care and advice to children and their families to ensure that their nutritional needs are being met in the best possible way.

It is important to us that we work in partnership with our patients and families as well as any other health or social care professionals to achieve the best possible outcome.

All of our dietitians are degree qualified, HCPC registered and experienced in working with children.

How to refer

Referrals can be made to the service by a health care professional. This could be a GP, community nurse, health visitor, school nurse, speech and language therapist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist or from another dietetic team.

The referral should include a summary of concerns along with the relevant background medical information
Referrals can be sent to fchc.firstdietitians@nhs.net
Referrals for tube fed children will require more detail. Please contact the team if you are unsure: Fchc.firstdietitians.paeds@nhs.net or telephone 01737 777701.

Service location and contact details

Our dietetics services are delivered at several locations across east Surrey and West Sussex including in Crawley, Horsham, Oxted, Redhill, Horley and Caterham.

You can contact the team using the details below.

Address: Crawley Hospital, Dietetics Department, Red Wing, Level 3, West Green Drive, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 7DH

Call: 01737 777701

Email: fchc.firstdietitians@nhs.net

X: @FirstDietitians