Nutrition & Dietetics: The Sutherland Hospital

We care for people in our hospital with the following conditions: 

• Malnutrition or poor intake
• Those requiring alternative feeding methods (e.g. enteral nutrition)
• Kidney conditions 
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Cancer
• Eating Disorders
• Paediatric Nutrition

Your doctor or nurse will refer you to the dietitian during your inpatient stay if it is required. You can also request to see a dietitian if you have any concerns about your nutrition.

Our department runs several clinics to support care needs for outpatients with specific nutrition needs or for follow up after a hospital admission.

Our Outpatient Services

Nutrition Support Clinic

Runs Weekly on a Tuesday afternoon.

Supports patients with poor nutrition status, malnutrition and enteral nutrition (tube feeds).

Osteoarthritis Chronic Care Program

Runs on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

Supports patients with osteoparthritis awaiting joint surgery. This service runs in conjunction with physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

General Paediatric Clinic

Runs weekly on a Thursday morning.

Supports paediatric patients with growth concerns, allergies/intolerances, enteral feeding, nutrition deficiencies, fussy eating and obesity.

Renal Clinic

Runs fortnightly on a Monday afternoon.

Supports patients with Chronic Kidney Disease requiring nutrition education or support.

Oncology Day Clinic

The dietitian services the oncology day clinic daily, visiting patients during their treatment.

The dietitian supports patients who have had weight loss or malnutrition requiring nutrition support, tube feeding or assistance with managing symptoms during their treatment.

Once your referral is received, it will be reviewed and you will be contacted to book in an appointment.

If we think your needs are better met by another service we will assist you by coordinating a referral to the appropriate service.

If you have questions regarding your appointment or you would like to reschedule or cancel your appointment please call the Allied Health reception on 9540 8300.

Please let us know if you need an interpreter. You can contact us by telephoning the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450. Tell the operator what language you speak and then ask the interpreter to set up a telephone conversation between you, an interpreter, and the healthcare professional you want to speak with.

Please bring:

• Your referral letter from your GP
• Your Medicare card
• Your appointment confirmation letter. You can show this letter to the staff on the Information Counters if you need help once you arrive at the hospital
• A support person (a relative, friend or carer) if needed
• Any previous dietary information you have been provided with
• For infants, it is helpful to bring their blue book 

We are located in the Allied Health Outpatient Services on Level 2 of the main hospital building. We are directly next to The Street Canteen Café, and opposite the main hospital lifts.

You can find us via both the southern entry to Level 1 from Kareena Rd (via the lift) or from main hospital entrance facing The Kingsway (Level 2).

Please let us know if you need an interpreter. You can contact us by telephoning the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450. Tell the operator what language you speak and then ask the interpreter to set up a telephone conversation between you, an interpreter, and the healthcare professional you want to speak with.

• Please review the outpatient services to determine if your patient is eligible
• Please complete a referral and fax this to our department on 02 9540 7717
• If you would like to discuss our services please call us on 02 9540 8300

We are a teaching hospital and you may be asked to be involved in research or for a student to be present at your appointment. You have a right to say no. If you do so, this will not impact in any way on the services we will provide.