Our Virtual Nutrition service offers quick, easy access to a highly qualified Nutritionist via a video link without needing a GP referral. In this article, we share the frequently asked questions (FAQs) for this essential service:
What does a Registered Nutritionist do?
Registered Nutritionists are healthcare professionals who provide practical, bespoke dietary advice to help empower patients to achieve their health and wellbeing goals. Our core ethos is to keep things simple, evidence-based, and achievable in a world that often promotes unrealistic, confusing, and inaccurate dietary advice.
Will I receive a diet plan?
Making dietary changes for life requires understanding behaviour change, balance, and flexibility. No one size fits all. For this reason, we do not issue prescriptive diet plans but provide bespoke dietary recommendations that align with your goals, personal preferences, dietary challenges, and lifestyle. These can be followed more consistently than a diet plan alone.
What are our qualifications?
We are Registered Nutritionists accredited by the Association For Nutrition. The Association For Nutrition is the UK’s independent regulator for qualified Nutritionists, recognised by Public Health England and the NHS. This title protects the public from self-proclaimed Nutritionists without adequate education in nutrition. It also means we are committed to and held accountable for the highest standard of evidence-based nutritional practice. Our Nutritionists have a minimum of three years of postgraduate experience. Therefore, our team is highly skilled at addressing your concerns and, when necessary, can arrange a referral to the right medical professional for further assistance.
What conditions does the service treat?
What conditions does the service NOT treat?
Do I need to see a GP first?
Patients access a Nutrition appointment without a referral from a GP unless they present with any of our exclusion criteria, and we feel it would be appropriate to consult with a GP or specialist first. If the patient requires assessment by an NHS specialist, a private referral can be made through a Teladoc Health Virtual GP service. However, they must see their NHS GP to obtain an NHS referral.
How do I book an appointment?
Patients can request an appointment 24/7 through the app, portal, or phone. Each patient will be directed to a pre-consultation questionnaire and then provided with a link to book a phone consultation with the Nutritionist who best suits their requirements on a convenient day and time.
What information do I need to provide at the point of booking?
Before a consultation, patients will be directed to a nutritional questionnaire to learn more about their specific goals and health background and ensure that our service is appropriate. We also request information about your dietary patterns (including a 24-hour food diary), sleeping habits, and exercise regime. This helps us ensure you get the best support for your needs without gathering the information during the consultation. An up-to-date list of any medications and supplements taken will be helpful. It’s also useful to inform us of past or ongoing health conditions, investigations, or treatments.
How do I change/cancel my appointment?
This can be done via the app or portal or by contacting our customer support team by phone at +44 (0) 20 3499 0736 or by email at [email protected]. Where possible, please provide 24 hours notice should you need to cancel your appointment. This enables the appointment slot to be reallocated.
How long do appointments last?
Each phone consultation will last up to 30 minutes.
What happens during the appointment?
The Nutritionist will call at the date and time selected and use the phone conversation to further explore diet and lifestyle, plus any specific barriers they identify that may prevent the patient from achieving their goals. During the consultation, they will help set realistic and achievable objectives and provide nutritional recommendations tailored to specific needs. The patient will be sent consultation notes following the phone call.
How do I access my consultation notes?
Patients will receive an email with their consultation notes (within 48 hours of their consultation) detailing personalised dietary suggestions plus relevant supporting resources to help them achieve these (such as meal ideas or additional practical tips and strategies if needed). We are here to answer any questions after the consultation, and we believe it’s important that patients feel supported throughout their journey.
How many sessions do I need?
The number of consultations required depends on each patient’s goals and requirements. Many patients require just one consultation; others might need more ongoing support. This can be discussed and agreed upon during or following the consultation.
Is the nutrition service confidential?
The service is entirely confidential. We will only share clinical notes with third parties with your explicit consent.
What if I want to receive online support / a diet plan without a phone consultation?
Alongside nutrition consultations, we offer a ‘Get Fit Programme’ designed to help patients reach their weight loss goals online. This programme provides calorie-controlled meal plans, portion guidance, and suitable exercises each week. Members are allocated different calorie plans based on weight, height, gender, and dietary requirements. Provided that they meet the inclusion criteria, each member will be immediately enrolled in the programme. Each member will choose between a 4- or 8-week plan and have the option to request a nutrition consultation to supplement the programme if required (but can otherwise carry out the plan online).
The Get Fit Programme is not suitable for individuals with a BMI of less than 20 or greater than 40 or for breastfeeding or pregnant women. If a member does not meet these criteria, it is recommended that they book a nutritional consultation for safer and more appropriate support and guidance.
Teladoc Health UK
Floor 5
Aspect House
84-87 Queens Road
Brighton, BN1 3XE
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