Gastroenterology Specialist Group: Clinical Lead

Aims and Objectives of the Group

  • To support and develop UK high quality evidence based dietetic practice within gastroenterology and hepatology.
  • To provide up to date evidence-based information on dietary treatment of gastrointestinal and hepatic conditions to dietitians and other health professionals. 
  • To encourage and enable continued educational development within our membership.
  • To promote the benefits of the dietitian's role working in gastroenterology and hepatology.
  • To provide clear and easy to understand evidence-based information to dietitians, patients, other health care providers and the media/public.
  • To ensure the financial security and sustainability of the GSG.

What the post has to offer

As a clinical lead of your specialist area you will have the opportunity to bring your expert knowledge and enthusiasm to the GSG, to inform the direction of future projects. Through this position you will gain communication, writing and project management skills, which can translate directly into career development. It will also give you an opportunity to work with colleagues across your speciality, sharing knowledge and skills.


Main duties and responsibilities

  • Lead members interested in contributing towards work within specialist area, encouraging collaboration and teamwork
  • Contribute towards study days and GSG events
  • Lead the conception and/or complete projects to enhance implementation of high-quality nutritional care and dietetic service provision; self -driven, or where there is a need as requested by the BDA
  • Ensure projects are completed to meet deadlines, delegating as appropriate to co-lead or members to maintain efficiency in project delivery
  • Attend committee meetings of relevance, and/or request to attend if there is information of relevance to feedback
  • Maintain contact with Chair and/or Clinical Team Lead with any developments in policy, guidelines or work identified necessary
  • Engage with respective charity to foster positive working relationships and collaborations to support the national agenda for the clinical area e.g. Coeliac Disease – Coeliac UK

Training Support and Resources

As the Clinical Lead you’ll work with Volunteer Manager who offers support, guidance and advice to the postholder. Support for this role is offered by key committee members including the Chair, Education Officer, and Research Officer who work as a team to set strategy, determine priorities and lead the committee to success.

We have a variety of resources, tools and training available to support this role including:

  • Full induction with BDA staff and a full handover from the previous postholder.
  • Training and development opportunities to help build personal and professional skills including workshops, webinars and the BDA’s annual volunteer conference.
  • Access to our volunteer handbook and volunteer hub providing a range of resources and guidance.
  • Regular communications including a monthly volunteer ezine with BDA updates and opportunities. 
  • Networking with other volunteers through events, webinars and access to our volunteer forums.

Length of service and commitment

You will be elected for a two-year term of office and have the option to extend for an additional two-year term. Reasonable notice can be given if you are no longer able to fulfil this role.

There are a number of training and development opportunities available, including a detailed induction with BDA staff and governance training to be undertaken upon commencement of each term.

Committee meetings are held 12 times a year and can be attended virtually if required. There is a varying and flexible amount of work in between meetings which is dependent on the strategy, workplans and projects agreed to by the committee. 

The specialist group holds a minimum of one event for members a year which includes the Annual General Meeting, it is typical for the committee to attend these events.


Appointment method

To apply for this role please submit a nomination form by 01 September 2024. Nominees must be a member of the group and provide the names and signatories of two BDA members to support their nomination.

If you would like an informal, confidential discussion about the role and the nomination process, please contact Chloe Adams at [email protected]


Members who support my application

First member

Second member


Declaring conflicts of interest

Council has decided that it is good practice for all members who represent the BDA on outside bodies, who are completing specific pieces of work for the BDA, are executive committee members of specialist groups or members of standing committees to register any interests which may be perceived as potentially generating a conflict of interests with BDA business.

The definition of what needs to be recorded is: the interests of a member which might reasonably be thought by others to influence their actions in their capacity as a BDA member acting on behalf of the BDA. This is consistent with our Members’ Charter and the way other councils work (including the Health Professions Council).

This form will be held confidentially by the BDA Chief Executive and the Honorary Secretary. It will be completed by anyone representing the BDA externally or taking on a distinct piece of work, where the BDA thinks it appropriate that the member complete it. It may be used if a conflict of interests arises and  Council or the Investigatory Committee decides that it needs to access it.

Please complete the following details as fully as possible and declare any possible conflict of interest you may have. Click on either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to answer each question.

I confirm that the information given on this form is correct and understand that failure to disclose relevant information may result in my role representing the BDA being terminated.

I agree that the information I have provided may be disclosed to the Council or the Investigatory Committee if requested.

I acknowledge that, under the terms of my membership of the BDA, I must comply with the rules and policies of the BDA, professional Codes of Conduct and the Members’ Charter. In particular, I will ensure that:

  • I act in the best interests of the BDA
  • I uphold confidentiality and ensure that any information obtained during a visit is used solely for the purposes of the BDA and is not divulged to any person or third party.
  • I conduct myself appropriately and treat all present with equal respect.