Macmillan dietitians

The Macmillan Specialist Dietitians provide a nutritional support service to Cancer Outpatients having systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT) under the care of a Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT) Oncologist or Haematologist.

We see cancer outpatients at:

• Oncology / Haematology Outpatient Clinics (SMH / WH)
• BHT SACT Units (SMH / WH)
• Via telephone consultation

We also provide support and advice for cancer inpatients at Florence Nightingale Hospice.

The Macmillan Community Specialist Dietitians provide specialist nutrition advice and home enteral feeding management for people registered to a Buckinghamshire GP who have had a cancer diagnosis and are not currently receiving treatment.

Home visits are available to those who are unable to communicate effectively in any other way e.g. by phone or video call. Outpatient appointments can also be arranged for face to face contact on an ad hoc basis at Amersham Hospital and the Brookside Centre.

Education and support sessions for people who are living with and beyond cancer are provided through support groups, health and well-being events and other ad hoc events.

If you’d like a referral to the Macmillan Dietetic Service, please contact a healthcare professional that already knows you, for example, your Oncologist, GP, specialist nurse, community nurse, speech therapist or physiotherapist. A referral can be made by any healthcare professional. Please note we don’t accept self-referrals.

Patient information created by the Macmillan Dietitians for the Cancer Education and Information Support Centre (CEISS):

• 4 Step Bowel Obstruction Diet
• Common nutritional problems and cancer
• Eating well during cancer treatment – a detailed guide
• Eating well with a small appetite
• Food safety for people having chemotherapy (Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment)
• Food safety guidance during neutropenia
• Managing taste changes
• Mouth care for patients undergoing cancer treatment

Please also see our nutrition and dietetic resource information page

Breakthrough cancer information ‘Eating well with swallowing difficulties’ –  for people with Upper Gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer

Mylan Creon Patient Guide – Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy

Macmillan Resources are also available at the Cancer Care & Haematology Unit (CCHU), SMH or online

Useful weblinks:

• British Dietetic Association (BDA) 
• BDA food facts online
• Thames Valley Cancer Alliance Health & Wellbeing –  includes patient information videos on managing taste changes and managing fatigue
• World Cancer Research Fund
• Royal Surrey Diet & Cancer resources