Since the early 2000s, the scope of practice for dietitians in New Zealand has undergone significant transformation. A landmark development came in 2011, when Aotearoa New Zealand became one of the first countries to grant limited prescribing rights to registered dietitians. This shift aimed to improve patient care, particularly in settings where timely nutritional intervention is critical.
This presentation traces the historical development of dietitian prescribing, from early advocacy and policy change through to implementation and practice. It will explore key milestones, such as the introduction of supplementary prescribing, legislative amendments supporting autonomous prescribing, and the development of a clinical training pathway.
The session will examine auditing processes underpinning safe and effective prescribing and how these are utilised to enhance practices , compliance and Professional Development .
This session will highlight how dietitians in New Zealand embrace a proactive clinical process to enhance patient outcomes contributing to effective systems.