Information for Professionals

Illustration of medical professionalReferral information

Birmingham Children's Hospital Nutrition and Dietetic Department Outpatient Referral Guidance

Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust Nutrition and Dietetic Department will accept paediatric referrals from BWC Consultants, Specialist Nurses, ANPs, AHPs (copy managing consultant into the referral), and General Practitioners based in Birmingham.

Please include the following information in your referral letter:

  • Patient demographics, including gestational age where relevant
  • Current weight and length or height and Body Mass Index for children over 2yrs of age
  • Previous growth history
  • Relevant medical history
  • Relevant dietetic history
  • Relevant medication history
  • Reason for referral
  • If an interpreter is required and if so, which language

Please see below for referral guidance:

Referral information

Condition

Referral criteria

Notes

Faltering Growth

Under 2 yrs of age 

Weight crossing down 2 centiles or more from 6 weeks of age 

Weight more than 2 centiles lower then length centile. 

Over 2 years of age 

Body Mass index below 9th centile. 

Any child with a weight under 0.4th centile.  

 

Birmingham GP referrals may also be accepted by Birmingham Paediatric Community Dietetics  

Nutrition and Dietetic Services for referral guidance. 

If the child is already under the care of a BWC Consultant, please refer to BWC Nutrition and Dietetic Department.  

Food Allergy or Intolerance

History of suspected or proven food allergy or intolerance under a BWC consultant.

BWC Nutrition and Dietetic Department will see all patients under the care of a BWC consultant. 

Please refer all other children to Birmingham Community Paediatric Dietetics — Nutrition and Dietetic Services

Nutritional Support

Infants, children and young people requiring home enteral feeding. 

If patient is under a Birmingham Community Paediatrician & has a Birmingham GP, please refer the patient to Birmingham Community Paediatric Dietetics — Nutrition and Dietetic Services

All other referrals will be seen by BWC Nutrition and Dietetic Department.  

 

Overweight or Obesity

BMI above 91st centile

Or weight more than 2 centiles above height centile.

See the Healthier Families | NHS for guidance, which can be given in advance of receiving dietetic advice

There is no Community Paediatric Dietetic service for overweight or obese children. Please refer all children to BWC Nutrition and Dietetic Department.

Infants or children with proven nutritional deficiencies as a result of dietary restriction or clinical condition 

 

BWC Nutrition and Dietetic Department will provide nutritional advice to correct proven nutritional deficiencies (diagnosed by nutritional biochemistry) 

Children or young people with a suspected or diagnosed eating disorder

Referrals will not be accepted

All children and young people with a suspected or proven eating disorder should be referred to Forward Thinking Birmingham, where they will receive specialist support.