The HCPC requires that all professionals carry out regular continuing professional development (CPD). They don’t ask for an exact amount of hours or specifically approved activities, but they do want you to document your learning, participate in different types of activities, and seek to ensure that your CPD benefits your practice and the service users you work with. At the start of each renewal cycle, 2.5 percent of dietitians are audited by the HCPC, and must provide supporting evidence that their CPD is up to standard. Many CPD activities can be quite pricy, but there are a lot of free and low-cost activities available. I’ve collated a variety of different free CPD sources below.
Webinars
My NutriWeb
My NutriWeb is a dietitian-led resource for nutrition webinars and courses, many of which are free or low-cost. Some recent webinars include: “Eating Disorders & Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction,” “UPF Exposure & Health Outcomes,” and “Sustainability in Nutrition and Dietetics.” They also have a book club and journal club, the recordings of which you can view online.
Dietitian Connection
Dietitian Connection has over 100 free webinars on a variety of topics, from breastfeeding to intermittent fasting. These are not specifically UK-based, but the HCPC does not list a requirement for CPD to be undertaken from providers based in the UK.
Podcasts
The Dietitian Café
The Dietitian Café is a great listen for all dietitians. Expert guests share their knowledge on a variety of topics, from collagen supplements to pediatric diabetes.
Magazines
Complete Nutrition Magazine
Not only does Complete Nutrition Magazine put out nine magazines a year with clinical nutrition information (which are free for those working in the NHS!), they also have an index of guidelines for different areas of nutrition and an index of different webinars. The website also allows you to complete quizzes and answer questions on articles read for CPD credits.
Network Health Digest
Network Health Digest publishes ten magazines a year (six print issues and four digital-only issues), covering a wide range of topics, from food trends to critical care dietetics. They also have a selection of CPD articles that you can read and answer questions on for credit.
Formula Companies
Many formula companies have a dedicated CPD corner of their website, which I’ve listed below. They also put on occasional free in person study days throughout the year.
Abbott
Abbott has a variety of live and pre-recorded educational webinars and other resources available through their Abbott Nutrition Health Institute website.
Nestle
Nestle’s N+ Hub provides webinars, educational videos, articles and case studies on different key areas of clinical dietetics.
Nutricia
Nutricia Academy provides many options for online learning, such as clinical papers, e-learning, and recorded webinars.
Fresenius Kabi
MOTIV eLearning is Fresenius Kabi’s dedicated eLearning platform for clinical dietitians, providing online modules for a variety of clinical specialties.
The British Dietetic Association
The British Dietetic Association’s CPD Approved Hub contains a mixture of paid and free learning activities.