Rachel Heesom, Dietetic Assistant Practitioner

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Appointment Form

If you have been given an outpatient appointment at the hospitals and are unable to attend for whatever reason you can use the form below.

It is really important that you let us know of any changes as soon as possible. This means we can offer the original appointment to another patient.

Please complete the form below with your contact details and as much information as possible. You can find most of the information we need on your appointment letter.

If you have any problems using this form, please call the number on your appointment letter and we will do our best to help you. You will receive a response from us so you know it has been received and actioned.

If you wish to change the date and time of your appointment you, you can click the re-book option and state any dates that are not suitable for you, or you can contact us using the number on your appointment letter.

Its all about getting your foot in the door…

My thirst for food began as an amateur swimmer, however as a child and teen, it never crossed my mind that I would be able to pursue a career in a relative field. After completing my degree in Nutrition and Health, I found a specific interest in disease related nutrition and wanted to become a Dietitian.

During my time at university, I began to volunteer at WHH, within various departments of Warrington Hospital. With an interest in dietetics, I hoped to volunteer in the dietetics department, desperate for any prior experience I could get my hands on. After being unsuccessful in getting onto a dietetics course, I committed to my ‘fall back’ option at the time and completed a masters in obesity and weight management: whilst continuing to volunteer at the hospital. In September 2019, a job came up to join dietetics as a Band 3 Therapy assistant. I jumped at the opportunity and was successful after interview.

Almost two years on, I am now a Band 4 Dietetic Assistant Practitioner, based on the community Dietitians team. I am responsible for assessing and treating the nutritional needs of the residents in the ~60 care homes across both Warrington and Halton. I am also responsible for developing and providing training to patients and staff to embed fundamental nutritional care planning. I find it rewarding to share my knowledge and experience with others and to help patients to thrive, whilst rewarding the hard work of other professionals, especially in care homes.

I hope soon to start a degree apprenticeship in dietetics. This would allow be to become a qualified Dietitian whilst working at WHH, with the hope to in the future progress within the team.

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