Integrating Muscle Measures in Practice to Improve Patient-Centred Outcomes

Anne’s 35-year career as a dietitian includes senior positions in the medical nutrition industry and clinical dietetics. Combining teaching and consultancy work with clinical practice, Anne currently utilises her skillset to provide direct care, education and resources on the management of long-term conditions, drawing on expertise gained in gastroenterology, oncology, palliative care, nutrition support, intensive care, neurorehabilitation, and surgery. Over the past 15 years, Anne has dedicated considerable personal time to support national organisations including the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of GPs and has held numerous positions in the British Dietetic Association (BDA) including several terms as Chair of the Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Group and a term Chair Elect for the British Dietetic Association in which she drove the outcome agenda and campaigned for the recognition of the value of dietitians in primary care. 

As Chair of the UK multi-professional ‘Managing Adult Malnutrition in the Community’ advisory board, Anne has led on the development of free to access resources to support health and care professionals, patients, and carers in identifying, treating, and preventing disease-related malnutrition in the community. 

Anne’s doctorate focused on the role of nutrition in palliative care (as perceived by patients, carers, and healthcare professionals), and working part-time in the hospice and community settings. Anne, along with colleagues, introduced a new approach to integrating nutrition into palliative care management, working closely with the Physiotherapy team to achieve a dual approach to nutrition and activity. Anne regularly presents at national and international events.

Most of Ione’s clinical work has been in critical care and chronic illness malnutrition, which has led to her active research interest in the prevention and management of muscle mass decline. Her PhD was aimed at bridging the gap between the acute and community sector in chronic illness management. 

Ione has always been involved in voluntary work. She led the nutrition group of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association for six years. She is also art of the London Clinical Senate – one of the few allied health professionals (ANP) in the Group – representing AHPs and Cancer. Ione won the ‘Florence Nightingale Leadership’ scholarship award and is one of the few AHP Florence Alumni.