BDA Press Centre: Media Release
11 November 2008
Dietitians celebrate their Unity with Unions to deliver health for all
The dietitians’ union at the British Dietetic Association (BDA) today celebrates 25 years independent Trade Union status and of supporting health for all the family with keynote addresses from the TUC’s Brendan Barber and GMB president Mary Turner. For the BDA Trade Union it’s a time to challenge unions to get their workforce healthy and recognise that all families are affected by the quality work of dietitians nationally.
The BDA Trade Union, alongside other unions, recognised the vital role that good nutrition plays in wellbeing, at home, at work and at play. In supporting its members for the past 25 years, the BDA Trade Union has helped dietitians to deliver on the agenda for improving nutritional wellbeing, through school meals, hospital catering, workplace initiatives (including the highly successful ‘Weight Wise @ Work Campaign) and community initiatives such as cook and eat, reaching out to families all over the UK.
Addressing key dietitians and members of other Unions at the meeting of the BDA Trade Union, Brendan Barber announced: “Whether they are employed in the NHS, private practice or elsewhere, the work BDA members do is of critical importance to the health of working people – because a balanced diet can help prevent diabetes, heart conditions and some kinds of cancer. And that’s before you consider the wider significance of what we eat, from the behaviour of our kids and the educational attainment of our young people through to life expectancy among disadvantaged groups. So it’s no exaggeration to say the BDA is at heart of some of the key public policy challenges of our time – and the work dietitians do will help shape Britain’s collective health for a generation to come.”
Speaking about the major overhaul seen in school meals in recent years, the GMB’s Mary Turner recognised the work that dietitians supported by the BDA Trade Union have played, working with school caterers and local government and teaching unions. Mary Turner said: “I have seen first hand the difference that can be made to children’s wellbeing resulting from good nutrition that is now being delivered by GMB members working in school catering. Dietitians have been key to making the changes that will help to stem the tide of childhood obesity – an essential component in ensuring that the workforce of the future IS well-equipped to do the jobs they aspire to”.
Commenting on the anniversary of 25 years of the Trade Union protecting dietitians, the head of the BDA Trade Union, Debbie O’Rourke said: “We know that dietitians have a central role to play in delivering the Government’s agenda for health as nutrition spans across all areas of life, from childhood, schools and the family, through to the workplace and in retirement. Our role is to ensure that dietitians are protected and represented well, enabling them to do the job that so many passionately want to do. We hope that the next 25 years will see us giving dietitians the support they need to make a difference to the nutritional health of all.”
Media enquiries to The British Dietetic Association and requests for interviews should be directed to our media hotline on 0870 850 2517 or pr@bda.uk.com.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
- The British Dietetic Association, founded in 1936, is the professional association for registered dietitians in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is the nation’s largest organisation of food and nutrition professionals with nearly 6,000 members. About two-thirds of members are employed in the National Health Service. The remaining members work in education, industry, research, sport settings or freelance.
- Registered dietitians hold the only legally-recognisable graduate qualification in nutrition and dietetics. They are experts in interpreting and translating the science of nutrition into practical ways of promoting nutritional well-being, disease treatment and the prevention of nutrition-related problems. Their advice is sound and based on current scientific evidence. Registration, awarded by the Health Professionals Council, is an indication that a dietitian is fit to practise and is working within an agreed statement of conduct. For further details about the British Dietetic Association, please visit our website: www.bda.uk.com.
- The photograph shows BDA Chief Executive Andy Burman, BDA Honorary President Pauline Douglas, BDA Head of Employer Relations Debbie O'Rourke and the TUC’s Brendan Barber. The full-size photograph is available for media release.
