Sent June 2021 - Dietitians Australia wrote to the Hon Mark Butler MP, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing, and Ged Kearney MP, Shadow Assistant Minister for Health and Ageing, to request a meeting to discuss the role dietitians play in health and wellbeing. Also the recommendations around food and nutrition from the Aged Care Royal Commission. 

Letter excerpt

As we head into another year of learning to live with the COVID-19 pandemic, health and wellbeing is at the forefront of the nation’s consciousness. Dietitians improve the health and quality of life of Australians through food and nutrition and with increased availability of their services, the reduction of chronic disease. This in turn will lead to benefits to our health care system.

Dietitians Australia has long advocated for recognition of our role. Our recent work includes:

• Aged care – Series of 8 position statements on the role of food and nutrition in aged care, presented at the National Congress on food, nutrition and the dining experience in aged care. This includes advocating that the Royal Commission Report recommendation of an extra $10 a day for residents to be spent on improving nutrition only.
• Telehealth – Position paper on the benefits of telehealth including access to dietetic services and the need for this to become permanent.
• Mental health – Briefing paper on the role of food and nutrition in mental health
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health – Submission in response to the Senate Inquiry into Food Pricing and Food Security in Remote Indigenous Communities
• Disability – Briefing paper on the provision of food and nutrition for people with disability

This letter was sent to:

• Hon Mark Butler MP, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing
• Ged Kearney MP, Shadow Assistant Minister for Health and Ageing

For more read the full letter.