Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our dietitians have continued to review our outpatients over the phone. Although this has been successful, it has posed challenges. To ensure the highest standard of patient care, our Dietetic Service has set up a drive-in clinic at the Balmoral MOT Centre to get accurate height and weight measurements, which are crucial in dietetic assessment and treatment plans.
Dietitians wanted to develop a service that would enable us to take these measurements in a protected environment. With a large number of our patients shielding or vulnerable, patient and staff safety was a top priority. The drive-in clinic is removed from acute or primary care settings and:
- allows us to follow strict infection control measures
- significantly limits patient contact with staff and other patients
- reduces the length of time a clinician spends with the patient
Romaine Graham is a dietitian at the Trust and explained the process for patients who arrive at the centre:
“On arrival to the centre, the patient will pull up to the lane entrance and be greeted by a dietitian or dietetic assistant in the appropriate PPE. Clean masks and gloves are provided to the patient as necessary.
“After being escorted into the clinic area, their weight and height will be taken using the appropriate scales and equipment. The equipment is sanitised between each patient to prevent any possible cross-contamination.
“The measurement taken will then be documented into an online system for the attention of the dietitian overseeing that particular patient. This allows dietitians to use accurate and up-to-date information to tailor advice for each patient.”
Feedback from patients so far has been very positive. The clinic has been open for just over two weeks, but work is already underway to develop the service further so that patients who are not able to attend the clinic at the MOT centre will be able to use a mobile service.