Allied Health Professionals
January 2012
Message from BOMSS Nurses/AHPs Representative
The dietitians have held two successful study days over the last year. One was aimed at dietitians new to bariatric surgery or working in the community. With the growth in bariatric surgery, more dietitians are becoming exposed to patients who are considering bariatric surgery or who have already had a procedure. With most centres only being able to offer two years follow up there is a move towards shared care. The other study was a more advanced course and included active participation in a workshop discussing vitamins, minerals and monitoring after bariatric surgery. It is important that within BOMSS, we work to a consensus about nutritional supplements and monitoring. A further study day was organised to and aimed at all health professionals involved in the care of bariatric patients. Unfortunately, there were insufficient numbers to go ahead but we will look to running it again. The diet sheets for the gastric bypass and the gastric band continue to sell well.
A further diet sheet on the sleeve gastrectomy should be available soon. BOMSS was invited to be involved in the peer review of bariatric services within the West Midlands. Surgical. dietetic and nursing representatives visited the different centres. It was an interesting experience and a great opportunity to see initiatives undertaken by other units. We are grateful to Mr Alberic Fiennes for including the affiliates in the visits. We are looking forward to the BOMSS annual conference particularly to the presentations from Prof Nick Finer and Dr Erlend Aasheim in the affiliate sessions. Please contact Andi or Mary with any ideas, suggestions of areas that you wish the affiliate members to be involved in.
Andrea Fox-Hiley - andrea.fox-hiley@leedsth.nhs.uk
Mary O'Kane - Mary.O'Kane@leedsth.nhs.uk
Welcome to the Allied Health Professionals page of the BOMSS website
Mary O’Kane was elected as the second AHP council member in May 2011. We have placed a short profile of both Mary and I below which includes our thoughts on how we can develop not only the website, but also the Annual Meeting to enhance the AHP contribution to the Society and in support of each other’s practice and professional development.
The 2012 annual meeting will have an AHP Parallel session on the second day and, as usual, there will be an opportunity to contribute to the free paper session on the first day.
If anyone would like to discuss their ideas for submission Mary and I would be happy to work with you or put individuals who are willing and able to offer support in touch with each other.
Contained within the AHP section you will be able to see information on upcoming educational events. We would welcome your comments and suggestions on this or any ideas and contributions you have for future meetings, the website or indeed anything at all which you may wish to contribute.
Mary is a clinical specialist dietitian in obesity and is based in Leeds Teaching Hospitals. She has extensive experience in dietetic management of patients undergoing bariatric surgery. She is keen to facilitate the development of nutritional standards and resources.
Andi is Education and Training Development Manager for Medical Education Leeds. She has a Nursing background, and has extensive experience in the design and delivery of education programmes across healthcare disciplines. She is keen to promote and support education, training and research in order to maximise AHP involvement and participation in the work of the society.
Andrea Fox-Hiley BOMSS Council Member, allied health sciences andrea.fox-hiley@leedsth.nhs.uk
Mary O’Kane BOMSS Council Member, clinical specialist dietitian
