Top award recognises Northern Trust’s innovative approach to community nutrition

Staff from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust have been named ‘Community Nutrition Professional of the Year’ at the 2025 Complete Nutrition (CN) Awards.

Dietetic colleagues Kathryn Duff, Shelley Hannon, Michelle Graham Steele, Ursula Quinn, Katherine Hudson and Elizabeth Armstrong received the award in recognition of their innovative work around community nutrition care.

The team’s ‘Hospital : Home’ pilot programme facilitated a rapid response follow-up for patients discharged from hospital who had been prescribed oral nutritional supplements, and were seen as at risk of malnutrition. As part of the pilot, a Prescribing Support Dietitian conducted tailored nutritional interventions with a ‘food first’ approach, prioritising accessible, every day food choices that aligned with each patient’s lifestyle and preferences.

This early intervention not only improved patient outcomes but also generated significant savings through more appropriate use of nutritional supplements.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Kathryn Duff, Service Improvement Lead for Dietetics, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be bringing the award of Nutrition Professionals of the Year back to Northern Ireland.

“The success of this initiative redefines how services can operate and how timely, targeted interventions, using existing resources, can ensure long-term sustainability.

“By pioneering new clinical pathways it creates a blueprint for change. We believe this work has the power to revolutionise dietetic care at regional and national levels, reshaping services, optimising resources, and delivering better outcomes for patients and healthcare systems alike.”

 

14th November 2025