Department of Nutrition & Dietetics

Patient Services for Type 1 Diabetes (DAFNE)

The dietetic team delivers DAFNE (Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating) which is a structured group education programme, providing skills-based training to adults with Type 1 diabetes to have autonomy, competence and confidence in diabetes self-management. Broadly it aims to support people with Type 1 diabetes to lead as normal and flexible a life as possible, whilst also maintaining blood glucose levels within healthy targets, and reduce both the short and long-term risk of diabetes complications.

If you have been offered a place on a DAFNE course or have been asked to consider taking a place, please watch this video

North Dublin Community Services for Weight Management & Type 2 Diabetes

Weight management and diabetes education programmes are available in the community across North Dublin and patients can access support through both GP referral and self-referral options.

Patients can be referred by their GP to the ‘Best Health Adult Weight Management Programme’ or the ‘Diabetes Prevention Programme’, which is delivered by the Chronic Disease Hub. These programmes begin with a one-to-one appointment with a dietitian, with the option to join group sessions online or in person at various times throughout the year.

Patients can self-refer (or be referred by their GP) to a range of other HSE diabetes education programmes. These include the CODE (Community Orientated Diabetes Education) Programme, DISCOVER Diabetes (a 4-week in-person or 6-week online programme), and DESMOND, a full-day, in-person course. These programmes are designed to support individuals in developing the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage their weight and diabetes and improve their overall health.
 

Patient Services for Kidney Disease

The Renal Dietetic Service at Beaumont Hospital provides specialist, evidence-based nutrition care for patients with kidney disease attending Nephrology services in Beaumont Hospital. The service supports patients attending the following nephrology areas: 

• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Managing diet to protect remaining kidney function and delay the progression of the disease.
• Dialysis (Haemodialysis, home Haemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis): Specialist advice on optimising weight, fluid management and controlling electrolyte levels such as potassium and phosphate while on dialysis therapies.
• In-patient Care: Comprehensive nutrition support for patients admitted under nephrology consultants for acute or chronic conditions.
• Post-Transplant: Guidance for new and established transplant patients to support long-term transplant health.

How We Support You

• Individualised Assessment: Review of blood results, nutritional status, and fluid requirements to create a personalised nutrition plan.
• Symptom Management: Expertise in managing common renal-related issues like poor appetite, weight loss, and imbalances in sodium or protein.
• Resources & Education: Access to patient guides and external resources like the Irish Kidney Diet for recipes and meal planning and Dietary advice for kidney patients | Beaumont Hospital. 

Patients must be attending a nephrology team at Beaumont Hospital to access this service. Members of the medical or nursing team can refer you to the dietitian. Patients with earlier stages of kidney disease (Stage 1-3a) can be referred to community nutrition and dietetic services by their GP. 
 

Student Training

The Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Beaumont Hospital is strongly committed to supporting the education and development of future dietitians. We provide clinical training placements throughout the year for final-year students from the BSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics programmes at TU Dublin and Trinity College Dublin, as well as the MSc Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics programme at University College Dublin. Our department offers a wide range of learning opportunities across all clinical areas, enabling students to gain valuable, hands-on experience in diverse and complex care settings. We actively support student learning and continuing professional development (CPD) through structured supervision, regular feedback, and access to shadowing opportunities with experienced dietitians. In addition, we work closely with our multidisciplinary colleagues to deliver inter-professional learning workshops, helping students develop the collaborative skills essential for modern healthcare practice.

Staff Training & Education

Our department provides many education and training opportunities on all aspects of nutrition for staff within Beaumont Hospital, including nursing staff, health care assistants, doctors and other members of the multidisciplinary team. For example, we work closely with our catering department to ensure implementation of the National Food, Nutrition & Hydration policy, we work alongside out Tissue Viability Nursing colleagues to promote optimal pressure injury prevention and management and we provide hands on training with nursing staff & healthcare assistants on the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) to help identify patients at risk of malnutrition and promote timely dietetic intervention. 

We also offer a course annually on gastrostomy tube replacements. This course is available to staff within and outside of Beaumont Hospital. The aims of this course are to educate and support clinical staff and public health nurses on replacing gastrostomy tubes when safe and appropriate to do so, to help recognise when it is unsafe to replace a gastrostomy tube as well as educate staff on issues related to the management of gastrostomy tubes.  After attending this study day, each participant must carry out the procedure under the supervision of a GI Consultant / Senior GI Registrar in the Endoscopy Unit of Beaumont Hospital before being deemed competent.

Transition Year Programme

As part of Beaumont Hospital’s annual Transition Year Programme, our Department of Nutrition and Dietetics offers students a valuable opportunity to learn more about careers in dietetics and the role of a dietitian in healthcare. Through interactive sessions and practical insights, students gain an understanding of how dietitians use nutrition science to support patient care across a range of clinical settings. The programme provides an introduction to the skills, education pathways, and day-to-day responsibilities involved in the profession, helping students make informed decisions about future study and career options.

Patient Resources

The Department of Nutrition & Dietetics have developed a number of patient information video guides on carbohydrate counting in diabetes, caring for your gastrostomy feeding tube and dietary management of possible symptoms during cancer treatment. Click on the links below to access these videos:

Carbohydrate counting in Diabetes

• Carbohydrate counting in Diabetes

Care of your PEG Tube

• Advancing your PEG
• Changing your PEG Y-Adapter
• Tips for Unblocking your PEG
• Administering a Bolus Feed through your PEG

Care of your MIC-KEY Tube 

• Changing your MIC-KEY Tube Extension Set
• How to Perform a Balloon Volume Check
• Tips for Unblocking your MIC-KEY Tube
• Administering a Bolus Feed through your MIC-KEY Tube

Care of your MIC Bolus Tube 

• How to Perform a Balloon Volume Check
• Tips for Unblocking your MIC Bolus Tube
• Administering a Bolus Feed through your MIC Bolus Tube

Please note: These training videos have been developed by Beaumont Hospital to support patients and caregivers who have received care at our hospital and have been instructed in the management of gastrostomy feeding tubes prior to discharge.  The content is intended as a general guide only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, training, or follow-up care provided by your healthcare team. Patients should always follow the specific instructions given by their own clinicians. 

While these resources are publicly accessible, Beaumont Hospital does not accept responsibility or liability for their use by individuals who are not under our care. If you are receiving treatment from another healthcare provider, you should consult your own clinical team before applying any information contained in these videos. 

If you experience any issues or concerns with your gastrostomy feeding tube, seek prompt medical advice from your healthcare provider.