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Dietitians

This webpage includes links to:

Meetings for Dietitians | Resources for Dietitians | ASCIA Dietitians Committee

Meetings for Dietitians 

ASCIA Annual Conference 

The ASCIA Annual Conference includes an Allergy Update meeting that is specific to dietitians, in addition to the food allergy sessions in the main program on Wednesday: 

  • The ASCIA 2024 Conference Allergy Update Day for Dietitians was held on Friday 6th September at the Adelaide Convention Centre, South Australia
  • The ASCIA 2025 Conference Allergy Update for Dietitians will be held on Thursday 4th September at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Queensland and registration will open at https://ascia2025.com/ in May 2025.
  • The ASCIA 2026 Conference Allergy Update for Dietitians will be held on Thursday 3rd September at the Christchurch Convention Centre, New Zealand and registration will open in May 2026.
ASCIA Food Allergy and Adverse Food Reactions Course

ASCIA is currently planning to host the next two ASCIA Food Allergy and Adverse Food Reactions courses in conjunction with ASCIA Annual Conferences as follows:

  • Friday 5th to Saturday 6th September at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Queensland.
  • Friday 4th to Saturday 5th September at the Christchurch Convention Centre, New Zealand.

This course has trained over 200 dietitians since the course commneced in 2018.  The course has been held in Adelaide (May 2024), Sydney (November 2023), Melbourne* (March 2023), Perth** (September 2019), Brisbane* (March 2019) and Canberra* (September 2018).  

*Held in conjunction with Dietitians Australia (DA) Centre for Advanced Learning (CAL) 
**Held in conjunctuion with the ASCIA Annual Conference and Dietitians Australia (DA) Centre for Advanced Learning (CAL) 

This course has an interactive in-person program that is focused on medical nutrition therapy in food allergy and intolerance. 

The most recent course was held onThursday 9th and Friday 10th May 2024 at the Adelaide Oval Functions centre, South Australia.  2024 Registration Fees (AuD inc GST) included catering for lunch, morning and afternoon breaks. 

  • $770 - DA, DNZ and ASCIA members
  • $880 - Non-DA and non-ASCIA members
Course Prerequisites

This course is presented in an interactive case study format and has been designed for dietitians with an allergy caseload or wanting to upskill in food allergy and intolerance, who work in private practice, community and hospital-based dietitians. The course can also be used as a refresher if you are returning to practice within this area.  The course is worth 24 CPD hours.  

Pre-learning requirements include successful completion of the following free online ASCIA course, which can also contribute to CPD points:

Learning Outcomes
  • Appraise the complexity of diagnosis and management of IgE mediated food allergy, non-IgE mediated food allergy and various presentations of food intolerance across the lifespan.
  • Recognise the importance of collaboration with other HPs in the allergy care team for optimal patient care in food allergy and intolerance.  
  • Formulate appropriate and safe evidence-based nutrition care plans within the scope of practice, for patients with food allergy and food intolerance.
  • Integrate reinforcement of medical management and practical skills regarding label reading, food preparation and eating away from home into patient management of food allergy, including the food service setting.
  • Integrate available resources to enhance assessment, education, and nutritional intervention for patients with food allergy and food intolerance.  
Presenters 

Kathy Beck is a paediatric dietitian working in private practice in Brisbane since 2015. Kathy has 30 years experience working as a dietitian in varied settings in the UK and Australia. Kathy has expertise in paediatric food allergy and a passion to support families living with food allergy. Kathy is an active member of the ASCIA Dietitians committee. In this role, Kathy works with ASCIA members to produce clinical and consumer resources, in addition to supporting other dietitians working in food allergy. Kathy enjoys scuba diving, ocean swimming and being on the beach when not working.

Amanda Jackson is a clinical dietitian with 15 years experience, including over 10 years supporting adults with complex food allergies, intolerances, gastrointestinal conditions, and immune disorders. Amanda works at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and runs a private clinic at Melbourne Allergy Asthma and Immunology Consultants. Her current roles include teaching and training fellow dietitians and more recently project management for a multi-centre immunodeficiency research trial. Amanda is an active member of the ASCIA dietitians committee and sits on the healthcare advisory panel for the Immune Deficiency Foundation of Australia.

Laura Ryan is an independent consulting paediatric allergy dietitian based in Adelaide, South Australia. She is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD), member of Dietitians Australia (DA) and Associate member of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). Laura has over 17 years experience working with children and families across Adelaide. In addition to consulting in private practice at Adelaide Paediatrics Morphett Vale and Wayville locations, Laura works as specialist Paediatric Allergy Dietitian with the Allergy/Immunology Team at Flinders Medical Centre. Laura is also an active member of the ASCIA Dietitian’s committee, presenting at national conferences and developing/reviewing ASCIA resources. Laura has extensive experience in working with children and young families to decrease their stress at mealtimes and assist with ensuring optimal nutrition for growth and development. 

Caroline South is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) who works at the Royal Children's Hospital and the Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Melbourne as well as private practice. She has over 10 years' experience working in the area of paediatric food allergy and is passionate about providing practical and evidence-based advice to children and their families, as well as working with the hospital food service department to optimise food allergy management. Caroline is the Chair of the ASCIA Dietitians committee and is involved in resource development, education and training.

Gail Whitelock is a Senior Dietitian based in Adelaide, South Australia. Gail has more than 30 years experience working as a clinical dietitian in public hospitals in both the United Kingdom and Australia. She has a number of roles within her current position including providing the dietetic service for food hypersensitivity at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, which includes a weekly co-located clinic with the team of Immunologists and working with food service to ensure the safe provision of meals for inpatients with food allergy and intolerance. Gail’s other interests include the management of malnutrition in the acute care setting and clinical documentation improvement.

Other opportunities for upskilling dietitians include:

  • ASCIA Associate (Dietitian) members are invited to regular ASCIA Dietitians Zoom meetings which include professional development

To review services and benefits of ASCIA Associate membership go to https://www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/ascia-initiatives#p1

Resources for Dietitians

ASCIA

Information for patients, consumers and carers:
 
Information for health professionals:

National Allergy Council (implementing the National Allergy Strategy)

  • Allergy Aware website www.allergyaware.org.au is an anaphylaxis resource hub for schools and children's education/care (CEC) services
  • Nip allergies in the Bub website preventallergies.org.au provides practical information about when and how to introduce the common food allergens to babies to help prevent food allergies. 
  • 250K school aged teen and young adult websites 250k.org.au provide practical information about how to manage food allergy including fun animations. 
  • Food allergy education website foodallergyeducation.org.au provides practical top line information about managing food allergies. 
  • Food allergy aware website www.foodallergyaware.org.au is a resource hub for food allergy management and links to resources from reputable organisations.  
  • Food allergy training website foodallergytraining.org.au hosts the All about Allergens online training which has been developed for all staff working in food service. 

Bookmarks for the National Allergy Council programs listed above can be ordered free of charge from the Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia shop https://allergyfacts.org.au/shop/nasr

Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia allergyfacts.org.au 

Allergy New Zealand www.allergy.org.nz 

ASCIA Dietitians' Committee

The purpose of the ASCIA Dietitians committee is to:

  • Develop evidence based guidelines for the management of food allergy and intolerance
  • Encourage practice based on this evidence amongst our colleague
  • Act as a resource for ASCIA regarding the nutritional management of food allergies and intolerance 

Content updated September 2024