BDA Public Affairs Officer Alex Ehrlich shares what he learned at the Labour Party Conference and how dietetics can have an impact on the UK's health strategy.
Why should dietitians care about party politics? The answer became abundantly clear at this year's Labour Party Conference, where the BDA secured a seat at the table of policy discussions that could reshape the future of our profession.
As your Public Affairs Officer, I attended the conference alongside Annette Mansell-Green, our Director for Trade Union and Public Affairs. We want to ensure that dietetics is not just an afterthought, but a cornerstone of the UK's health strategy.
Prevention: The new buzzword
The conference buzzed with talk of prevention, a concept that should make every dietitian's ears prick up. At a fringe event hosted by the Tony Blair Institute, we heard Andrew Gwynne, Minister of State for Public Health and Prevention, outline a vision that could revolutionise our work.
Minister Gwynne revealed he's now hosting regular cross-departmental meetings to weave prevention into the fabric of all government policies. His goal? To nurture the healthiest generation of English children in our nation's history. Sound familiar? It should. This aligns perfectly with our UK Food Strategy campaign, potentially opening doors for dietitians to influence policy across multiple government departments.
A seat at the table
But we didn't just listen; we acted. In a crucial moment, Annette handed our BDA manifesto directly to Minister Gwynne, emphasising the vital role dietitians must play in both prevention and the NHS workforce strategy. The Minister's response was encouraging, indicating that the Department of Health and Social Care would be seeking our expertise in future consultations.
This isn't just talk. We have already acted. Post conference, Paula Barker MP for Liverpool Wavertree has submitted on our behalf, several parliamentary questions about integrating dietitians and Allied Health Professionals into long-term healthcare planning, public health, and efforts to reduce health inequalities. We welcome the government’s response which will be available to review online in the coming weeks. Most importantly, your work is now part of the parliamentary conversation.
NHS Reform: Our chance to shine
At another event, we heard Health Secretary Wes Streeting declare, "Without action on prevention, the NHS will be overwhelmed." His words demonstrate the enormous potential for dietitians to play a pivotal role in the future of healthcare.
Streeting's recent announcement of a ban on junk food advertising aimed specifically at children and effective during the watershed, is a direct win for the BDA, having been a longstanding key ask of ours. Moreover, the government's focus on the potential regulation of high-fat, sugar, and salt foods opens a door for us to shape policies, including our proposed Sugar and Salt Reformulation Tax key ask, which emanates from our UK Wide Food Strategy campaign.
What this means for you
The emphasis on community-based care and multidisciplinary approaches could significantly enhance the role of dietitians. This relates to our campaign for independent prescribing rights, potentially allowing you to provide more comprehensive care.
Furthermore, the focus on workforce development and technological innovation supports our campaign to strengthen and diversify the dietetic workforce. This could mean more investment in your professional development and better tools to do your job effectively.
Looking ahead
The Labour Party Conference revealed a policy direction that closely aligns with our profession's goals. The focus on prevention, nutrition regulation, workforce development, and community-based care presents unprecedented opportunities for dietitians to shape the future of UK healthcare.
We're not stopping here. We're pursuing a follow-up meeting with Minister Gwynne's office to ensure that dietetics remains at the forefront of health policy discussions.
Your work as dietitians has never been more crucial. As the link between nutrition and public health gains political traction, you are positioned to be key players in creating a healthier Britain. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to advocate for your profession at the highest levels of government.
