The British Dietetic Association (BDA)

The British Dietetic Association (BDA) is a professional association and trade union for dietitians in the United Kingdom. The BDA was founded in 1936 and represents over 7,000 dietitians and dietetic support workers. The BDA head office is in Birmingham, but has members from all four UK nations and some from overseas. Our aims are to: • Advance the science and practice of dietetics and associated subjects; • Promote training and education in the science and practice of dietetics and associated subjects; • Regulate the relations between dietitians and their employer through the BDA Trade Union. The majority of the BDA's members work in the National Health Service; however, approximately one third of the membership work in other sectors, such as education, private industry, private practice and the media. In the UK, 'Dietitian' is a legally protected title. Unlike nutritionists, all dietitians are required to be educated to UK degree level and must be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). The Patron of the BDA is Her Majesty the Queen (since 1983) and the BDA Honorary President is the GMB Union National President Mary Turner MBE. The Chairman is Sian Burton and the Chief Executive Officer in Andy Burman. Trade Union The BDA became a certified union in 1982; it is affiliated to the Trades Union Congress and the Scottish Trades Union Congress.