British Dietetic Association

The British Dietetic Association (BDA) is a professional association and trade union for dietitians in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1936 and became a certified union in 1982; it is affiliated to the Trades Union Congress and the Scottish Trades Union Congress.

History
The BDA was established in 1936. In 2011 the BDA celebrated its 75th anniversary.

Mission and scope
Its aims are to:
 * Advance the science and practice of dietetics and associated subjects;
 * Promote training and education in the science and practice of dietetics and associated subjects;
 * Regulate the relations between dietitians and their employer through the BDA Trade Union.

Organisation and membership
It is a UK-wide membership organisation representing around 7,000 dietitians and dietetic support workers. The BDA head office is in Birmingham, but has members from all four UK nations and some from overseas.

The majority of the BDA's membership work in the National Health Service; however, approximately one third of the membership work in other sectors, such as education, private industry, private practice and the media.

In the UK, 'Dietitian' is a legally protected title. Unlike nutritionists, and other food/nutrition titles, all dietitians are required to be educated to a certain level (a recognized UK degree level at least) and dietitians are the only food/nutrition professionals in the UK who must be regulated.

The BDA comprises six departments:

- The Executive Department (Andy Burman, Head of Department)

- Membership Services (Milly Durrant, Head of Department)

- Education & Professional Development (Sue Kellie, Head of Department)

- External Affairs (Steven Jenkins, Head of Department)

- Trade Union (Debbie O'Rourke)

- Business Support (Karen Leek, Head of Department)

The BDA is a certified holder of the Information Standard. The Information Standard is a Department of Health certification scheme for health and social care information. Successful organisations can use the quality mark on materials to confirm that the information is from a reliable source.

Campaigns
The British Dietetic Association also administers the specialist register for dietitians and sports nutritionists working with elite sportspeople.

In September 2010, the BDA attended the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Manchester. Subsequently, the BDA tends to table motions annually at the TUC, most recently at the TUC in Brighton in September 2012.

The BDA Chairman, Helen Davidson, announced (2011) the creation of a brand new BDA national campaign. The aim of the campaign was to highlight levels of malnutrition in older people living in their own homes in the UK. Mind the Hunger Gap was deemed a great success with much coverage and publicity across the UK, including advising the UL soap Emmerdale on a community malnutrition storyline in early 2013.

The BDA launched its most recent campaign in early 2014, which aims to highlight the work and value of dietitians.

Publications
The British Dietetic Association produces a monthly magazine. Simret Bassra-Brar is the magazine's Editor.