Qualifications and Experience
Rachael Colley BSc (Hons), PGCE, Postgraduate Diploma in Dietetics, RD
BSc. (Hons) 2.2. in Human Biological Sciences with a Diploma in Professional Studies
Loughborough University of Technology
Sept 1986 - June 1990
The Diploma in Professional Studies was gained from work as an Assistant Scientific Officer at the Army Personnel Research Establishment (APRE), Applied Physiology Section, Farnborough (Sept 1988 – August 1989). The work included planning, conducting and reporting on trials to assess the suitability of power-assisted breathing devices for use with military respiratory protection.
Radiation Protection Adviser
National Radiological Protection Board, Chilton, Oxon
Sept 1990 - Sept 1993
My role included providing advice regarding legislative compliance to companies in southern England and Wales and lectured on training courses in Radiation Protection.
Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Secondary Science)
University of Reading
Sept 1993 - June 1994
Training Credits Adviser and Marketing Co-ordinator
Heart of England Training and Enterprise Council, Abingdon, Oxon
Sept 1994 - Sept 1997
My roles included developing and marketing the Modern Apprenticeships NVQ training programme in Oxfordshire, giving presentations to groups of pupils, parents, teachers and Careers Advisers and producing promotional articles for newspapers, newsletters and marketing material.
Whilst working full time, I attended evening classes at Oxford College of Further Education (Sept 1996 - June 1997) and gained an 'A' Level in Chemistry.
Human Resources Administrator
Reebok UK, Lancaster
November 1997 - September 1998
Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics (Pass with Distinction)
Glasgow Caledonian University
September 1998 - June 2000
My Dietetic placements were in Blackburn and Lancaster.
Basic Grade DIETITIAN
Blackpool Victoria Hospital
July 2000 – March 2001
My role included providing dietary advice at consultant led adult diabetic clinics, dietetic outpatient clinics and to patients on medical and surgical wards and giving talks to groups of cardiac rehabilitation patients and delivering training sessions to nurses.
Community Dietitian
North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
March 2001 – July 2003
This role included giving dietary advice to patients at GP practices in Carlisle and the surrounding area; being a key member of the “Diabetic Annual Review” for patients at GP Practices; delivering talks to health professionals, GPs, student nurses and patient groups.
Learning Disabilities Dietitian
Swindon & Marlborough NHS Trust and Wiltshire Health and Care
Feb 2004 – April 2021
My roles included providing individual dietary advice to clients (adults and children) and their teams of carers; planning and delivering a wide variety of nutrition training for clients and carers; chairing the work of multidisciplinary teams to provide timely and appropriate assessment and holistic solutions for those with eating and drinking difficulties or those needing to lose weight.
Weight Management Dietitian
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
2007 – June 2016
My role included creating, reviewing and developing the dietetic aspect of the Tier 3 Weight Management Service; delivering the dietetic service via group sessions and individual appointments; updating the dietetic element of the Tier 2 Weight Management Service in Swindon - including producing lesson plans and flipcharts for the instructors and a handbook and handouts for clients.
Long Covid Lead Dietitian for Bath and North-East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire
May 2021 – September 2023
My role included: creating, delivering and developing the Long Covid Dietetic service; delivering Long Covid dietetic clinics completely remotely (via video link or telephone); working with, and delivering training to, the multidisciplinary Long Covid Team.
