PD849 - OPTIMISING ONCOLOGY DIETETIC CAPACITY: AN NHS–MAGGIE’S PARTNERSHIP IMPROVING ACCESS AND REDUCING WAITING TIMES

PD849

OPTIMISING ONCOLOGY DIETETIC CAPACITY: AN NHS–MAGGIE’S PARTNERSHIP IMPROVING ACCESS AND REDUCING WAITING TIMES

J. Newman^1,*

¹Nutrition and Dietetics , Royal Marsden NHS Trust , London, United Kingdom

Rationale: Increasing numbers of people living with and beyond cancer are placing growing demand on oncology dietetic services, resulting in extended waiting times. Innovative approaches are needed to maximise NHS resources while maintaining high-quality care. The Royal Marsden dietetic team partnered with the on-site Maggie’s Centre, a charitable organisation offering practical and emotional support, to deliver group nutrition workshops to extend dietetic capacity.

Methods: A monthly two-hour workshop, led by a senior oncology dietitian, provides evidence-based nutrition guidance. Sessions include recipe demonstrations, myth-busting, and practical strategies for managing treatment-related side effects. Patients are triaged from outpatient referrals or self-refer via Maggie’s. Attendance and key topics are recorded in medical records, enabling recognition of workshops as dietetic activity. The charitable sector supplies venue, ingredients, and volunteers, allowing delivery using existing resources without extra NHS burden.

Results: The workshop diverted suitable patients from one-to-one clinics, contributing to a 24% reduction in dietetic waiting times over three years. It is appropriate for low- to medium-risk patients seeking guidance on eating well across the cancer pathway and is highly valued. Evaluation demonstrated increased confidence in nutrition topics and that patients particularly valued the practical demonstrations, with additional benefits from peer support. Collaboration with Maggie’s enhanced holistic care, including emotional support and signposting to other services.

Conclusion: This partnership provides a scalable, patient-endorsed model that optimises NHS resources, improves access to nutrition support, and reduces pressure on oncology dietetic services while delivering high-quality, evidence-based care.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared