Abstract
Consultant posts for dietitians in the United Kingdom were developed to provide a new career opportunity and retain clinical expertise and professional leadership providing better outcomes for patients and improving services. Historically, there was limited opportunity for specialist dietitians to progress further in a clinical role without taking on management responsibilities. Career advancement meant that dietitians either lost their clinical expertise to take up management positions or moved out of the health service altogether. Thus, consultant posts offer a new pathway for expert specialist dietitians recognizing extended roles and retaining clinical and professional leadership in the health service. New methods for delivery of care added to the cost-effectiveness of these posts.
This article presents how a consultant dietitian post in gastroenterology has evolved, including developing a business case, how the post functions now, and how it is further progressing