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About me

KATE FORD MSc BSc PG Dip RD
I am a dietitian working in both NHS and private practice, with over 17 years of experience running outpatient clinics and caring for people on inpatient wards. Through lifestyle and dietary advice, I have been able to help patients with a variety of conditions including respiratory disease, weight management, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. I have a clinical leadership role within the NHS and provide clinical supervision and mentorship to dietitians and students.
With 14 years experience working within a surgical gastrointestinal multidisciplinary team at a specialist centre, I have extensive knowledge of oncology and gastrointestinal disease. I understand the nutritional difficulties and social impact gastrointestinal conditions bring.
I am able to provide expert dietary advice in gastrointestinal cancers and oncology treatment including preoperative dietary and lifestyle advice, colostomy and ileostomy diets, prehabilitation prior to treatment, good nutrition to promote postoperative recovery and a healthy diet for prevention of cancer recurrence. I regularly support people undergoing treatment for gastrointestinal conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and liquid diet therapy, irritable bowel syndrome, functional gut disease, pelvic radiation late effects and liver disease. I understand the lifestyle changes required when following a gluten free diet in coeliac disease and gluten sensitivity and have practical tips on hand to aid dietary change. I regularly see patients with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) and have expert tips for following a texture modified diet. I also provide specialist advice regarding reducing risk of kidney stones.
I have a strong research background and an ethos of promoting evidence based practice. As a registered dietitian with an honours degree in Biomedical Science, I am expertly placed in translating science and research in practical dietary advice. As a post-graduate, I achieved my Master of Science through completion of a research project involving enteral nutrition after upper gastrointestinal surgery, helping patients in their postoperative recovery, which I presented at the British Association of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN) conference.
I am a low FODMAP diet therapy trained and specialise in advice for functional bowel disorders. As a team, we had the pleasured of showcasing our low FODMAP diet work at the British Society Gastroenterology (BSG) conference. Through low FODMAP diet therapy we have been able to demonstrate effective dietary treatment for IBS sufferers. I work with clients to treat IBS holistically, providing nutritional assessment, recognition of trigger foods and ensuring a balanced diet.
I am passionate in caring for my clients and tailor consultations to the needs of the individual, communicating in the most effective way for each person.

Areas of interest

Functional bowel disorders
Irritable bowel syndrome
Upper GI cancer
Colorectal cancer
Pelvic radiation late effects
Panreatitis and pancreatic enzyme insufficiency
Bile salt malabsorption
Inflammatory bowel disease including crohns and ulcerative colitis
Coeliac disease
Preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation
Ileostomy and colostomy diets