Department of Health

Community Health dietetics priority tool

Key messages

  • The dietetics priority tool prioritises people who need to see a dietician.
  • It can be used for both adults and children.
  • Workers without a background in dietetics should consult the dietician if they cannot determine the level of priority of service.

The community health priority tools are part of the department’s program to improve access to community health services.

The dietetics priority tool prioritises people who need to see a dietician. It can be used for both adults and children.

Intake workers without a background in dietetics

Intake workers without a background in dietetics should consult the dietician if they cannot determine the level of priority of service.

Services covered by the tool

Dieticians provide services for people with conditions including (but not limited to) diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, weight loss, involuntary weight loss and gastrointestinal disorders (such as irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease and coeliac disease). They also provide general dietary advice to people without any recognisable condition.

When CHSs should use this tool

CHSs should use the dietetics priority tool after they have applied the generic priority tool.

Priority categories for this tool

The dietetics priority tool has three priority categories: high, medium and low. The high priority category includes some people with diabetes, people with difficulties swallowing and/or chewing, people with several chronic health conditions (like high blood pressure, heart disease, etc.), people with diagnosed medical conditions (like liver problems and eating disorders) and children.

How the tool works

The dietetics priority tool collects information about the person, either from the person directly or from referral documentation. The intake worker allocates a priority level as soon as the person identifies a particular condition.

The Community health priority tools document clearly explains the three priority categories.

Downloads

Community health priority tools 2009
pdf 325.65 KB

Reviewed 29 May 2015

Health.vic

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