About Us – Chair's Welcome
Welcome to the website for the Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Group (PEN group) of the British Dietetic Association.
Through information on the website, active email distribution and correspondence and our publications such as PENlines, the PEN group aim to keep members connected and up to date.
The primary aim of the PEN Group is to facilitate dietitians working in parenteral and enteral to employ best / evidence based practice. In addition the PEN group also acts as a voice of professional expertise for and on behalf of dietitians working in parenteral and enteral. The PEN group committee acknowledge that these aims cannot be achieved by a committee but rely on active participation of our membership. We hope that we can provide the channels and forum so that through the cohesive work of the PEN group committee and membership Dietitians can deliver excellence in nutrition support.
Several of our committee members represent the PEN group within several committees of BAPEN such as Programmes, Education and Training, BAPEN Council thereby ensuring that the views of Dietitians are represented in the BAPEN multidisciplinary organization and lobby to promote excellence in nutritional care on a National level.
One of the achievements for the PEN group in 2011 was the update of the Pocket Guide of Clinical Nutrition, now in its 4th edition, edited by Vera Todorovic and Ann Micklewright. I would like to express my gratitude to Vera and Ann and all the contributing authors who made this possible. Further new sections are planned in 2012 as specialist areas in the field of clinical nutrition develop and expand.
In 2012 we hope to introduce Clinical Leads within the group, along with our members this will ensure that PEN group are in a strong position to act in an advisory capacity and respond to clinical enquiries and comment on national documents. The clinical leads will enable the group to harness expertise in specialty areas but not at the expense of supporting more generalist roles. Utilising the expertise and enthusiasm from within the dietetic profession and PENG membership can only help strengthen the important role that the Dietitian plays in delivering optimal nutritional care.
We hope that as a member you will feel happy to participate. If you would specifically like to get more involved in PENG, either with a particular initiative or in general please do not hesitate to get in touch with myself or any committee member by emailing us at PENG@bda.uk.com.
We hope that the PEN group website provides the forum to connect members for problem solving and sharing of best practice. Further resources are planned for 2012 along with discussion forum supporting personal professional development.
With best wishes
Anne Holdoway
Chair
PEN group of the BDA