SHORTAGE OF DIETITIANS

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26515, 1 September 1951, Page 2

SHORTAGE OF DIETITIANS

“ALMOST INSUPERABLE PROBLEM ”

“The greatest problem confronting practising dietitians at the present time —and to many it appears almost insurmountable—is the shortage of dietitians and the vacancies that cannot be tilled,’’ said Miss W. M. Stenhouse, senior dietitian at Wellington Hospital, and president of the New Zealand Dietetic Association, in her address to the annual conference of the association in Wellington. “Wheth - there will be any appreciable change in the immediate future is a matter for conjecture, but one thing is certain, that if the number of students entering training remains at the present low figure, the situation will deteriorate still more, for the disparity between the numbers of entrants to the profession and the normal expected losses will be too great,” said Miss Stenhouse. She discussed methods of attracting new students, who were drawn chiefly from home science graduates and suitably qualified nurses.

“The importance of the Dietitians Act, passed in October, 1950, cannot be over-estimated," said Miss Stenhouse, “especially when we realise that similar powers have been granted to only one group of professional dietitians in an English-speaking country, though it is possible that other bodies have not yet sought State recognition.” The passing of the act was followed by the establishment of the Dietitians’ Board, the main function of which concerns the enforcement of standards through professional examinations; it has registration authority, thus vesting the profession with compulsory powers,” Miss Stenhouse said. “New Zealand dietitians, therefore, have attained status and recognition not only through t .e formation of a professional association, but also by the attainment of statutory recognition and powers as granted by the State."