FROM THE EDITOR
WELCOME We live in a technology-laced environment and we (mostly) enjoy the benefits this brings; such as being able to talk to friends and family at anytime, anywhere, or being able to order supermarket shopping online and have it delivered quickly. There’s also the benefit of being able to work remotely, whilst still being linked closely to colleagues in the office. We can monitor various aspects of our health and wellbeing via our wrist device or mobile phone too. Nevertheless, there are times when technology simply frustrates us all to distraction. I hate my printer for example. I really do. It’s meant to print wirelessly from anywhere in the house, but more often than not, it decides to have a little game with me and not print anything out at all. I’m sure you’re all familiar with well-timed glitches that occur with technological devices at home and at work! Despite the pros and cons of using technology in our personal and professional lives, it seems that dietitians and nutritionists are getting on board with its uses in our profession. Ruth Barclay-Paterson, Diabetes Dietitian, reports on ‘telehealth’ in NHS Ayrshire and Arran, which provides successful dietetic management for patients with diabetes. Priya Tew discusses whether it’s time we should be embracing new software, apps and online consultations. She has compiled a range of software that she and other nutrition professionals have found useful in different situations. A wide range of topics feature in this double issue of NHD (which, as usual, will be on our website to view digitally – that’s technology for you!), including on potential preventive dietary approaches to dementia by Gill Hooper, who highlights that an estimated one million people in the UK
will have dementia by 2025 and this will Emma Coates Editor increase to two million by 2050. Moving from elderly care to paediatrics, Olivia Emma has been a dietitian Chaffey focuses on cow’s milk protein registered for 12 years, with allergy, talking us though this complex experience of adult dietary issue and how best to manage and paediatric dietetics. it. And gastroenterology? Well, Jess English has it covered, as she shares her insights into the current and potential treatment approaches of IBS, including genetic links in its aetiology. IBS sufferers may well be considering the flexitarian diet and in Tabatha Ward’s first article for us, she examines why it is becoming so popular. Evelyn Toner takes us through a review of ONS products, while appropriate prescribing of vital low-protein foods is looked at in IMD Watch by Catherine Kidd, Dietitian at GOSH in London. The IMD condition tyrosinaemia is tackled by Harriet Churchill, as she explains the dietary principles and management of this disorder, which is via a proteinrestricted diet. Our regular features include Face to Face and in this issue Ursula Arens interviews Jenny Rosborough, Public Health Nutrition Campaigner; and in Dietitian's Life we wish Pat Portnoi a happy retirement. If you have important news or Enjoy the read. research updates to share with NHD, or I’m off to roll my would like to send a letter to the Editor, eyes at my printer please email us at and count on my info@networkhealthgroup.co.uk smart phone how We would love to many steps it takes hear from you. me to get it working! Emma www.NHDmag.com June/July 2019 - Issue 145
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