Job overview

If you are looking for a rare and exciting opportunity as a Specialist Mental Health Dietitian in a forensic mental health service, this is the position for you. 

The Forensic Services based at St Bernard’s Hospital on the Ealing site in London are comprised of a number of specialist areas including Women’s and Men’s services at both low and medium security. The post holder will join an already established Occupational Therapy and AHP service. 

You will be responsible for managing the referrals and subsequent caseload of service users requiring dietetics interventions. 

We have a wider Allied Health Professions service comprising of occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, activity coordinators and Recovery Support workers, Dieticians, SLT and Physiotherapists. 

You will be supervised through preceptorship and supported by the Clinical Lead Dietitian to monitor the dietetic needs of the service users and promote dietetic advice and support to this specific population.

Main duties of the job

You will carry a clinical caseload and have responsibilities to provide a range of individual and group activities that develop service user’ skills and function in line with recovery principles and practice.  

The post also offers an opportunity to develop both clinical and managerial skills. We would ensure that you receive the relevant training and support when you join the team as required.

We have clear clinical models and pathways for service users moving from our acute wards into rehabilitation and through into the community with occupational performance skills being central to the readiness for transition through each stage of a service user recovery. 

You will be instrumental in ensuring service user’s physical health is optimised and ensure they can benefit from the available treatment options.

As an AHP Service we have a strong commitment to CPD within the trust and provide a range of opportunities for staff with the expectation that learning is shared and clinical excellence is achieved. Our other AHP colleagues work very closely with us and joint work and learning is integral within the trust.

Working for our organisation

West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and   Hammersmith & Fulham).  We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.

The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.

The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.