DiSP-PSS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Dietitian supplementary prescribing and its impact on the access to treatment of paediatric patients treated a special school setting
IRAS ID
313748
Contact name
Jodie Owen
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 28 days
Research summary
This study will assess if dietitian supplementary prescribing (DSP) can improve access to prescribeable nutritional products for children in a special school setting. The children in the study have profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) as well as physical disabilities and/or a severe medical condition. They require oral nutritional supplements (ONS) or enteral feeds as they are unable to maintain their nutritional status without dietetic intervention. Currently, the dietitian will recommend the nutritional products/feeding regime and the GP will prescribe on the dietitian’s recommendation. This can lead to delays in treatment for the patient, and stress to family due to chasing up prescriptions. Using a clinical management plan (CMP) drawn up in conjunction with dietitian, community consultant paediatrian and patient/family, the DSP will be able to prescribe directly to the patient. The study will look at how this impacts the patients and families, and assess if it saves GP time. The study will use qualitative data to measure the impact of DSP by using interviews with families pre and post DSP and using the validated Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory. GPs will also be interviewed regarding their views on prescribing nutritional products and how this impacts on their time.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0928
Date of REC Opinion
9 Nov 2023
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion