Contact Us
Auckland Dietitian, here to help
If you’re a GP or health professional, click here to refer patients to an Auckland Family Nutrition dietitian. If you have a media enquiry please click here.
Email Address
Phone
Meet Your Dietitian
Sarah-Jane Simpson B.Sc., PGDipDiet, NZRD
Sarah-Jane is an Auckland dietitian who has worked as a New Zealand Registered Dietitian (NZRD) optimising the nutrition of mothers and babies for over 10 years in both public and private settings. Sarah-Jane uses evidence-based practice in dietetics to provide patient-centred dietary interventions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn How it Works!
What can I expect from my consultation?
An initial assessment is 50-60 minutes long.
During an initial assessment we will ask you your expectations or what you would like to gain from the appointment. We will ask a range of questions including medical history and investigations, medications, gastrointestinal function, biochemistry (blood tests), social history and then complete a comprehensive dietary assessment. The dietitian will discuss recommendations and together will set goals with you.
A follow up appointment is 25-30 minutes long, where we will cover any updates since the initial assessment, dietary assessment and review the outcome of the initial goals set with you.
How do I connect to Zoom?
What information do I need to provide before or during the appointment?
You may be sent a questionnaire to fill out and send back prior to the appointment. This is not always required but may be sent to gather more information for the dietitian before the appointment.
It can be useful, but not essential to have a list of usual foods consumed at each meal or snack. This will be discussed during the appointment.
What is a Dietitian?
Dietitians evaluate scientific evidence about food and nutrition and translate it into practical strategies. New Zealand dietitians work in partnership with individuals, whanau, communities and populations, in states of health and disease, to support optimal health and well-being.
Dietitians use their dietetic knowledge, skill and judgement in a variety of contexts, which includes promoting and protecting public health, directing and delivering medical nutrition therapy services, and managing food and health systems. They may perform a variety of functions, including policy development, leadership, management, research, education, and communication roles.
Will my appointment be covered by my health insurance?
Some insurance companies may contribute to the cost of an appointment with a NZ Registered Dietitian. Please check your policy or contact your insurance company to find out if your policy includes a Dietitian, and if there are any terms (e.g. many Southern Cross policies require a specialist to refer to the dietitian for the consultation to be covered). You will need to pay for consultation at the time of booking and then you can claim some, or all, of the cost back from your insurance provider.
How do I book and pay for appointments?
You can click here to book an appointment. You can book online at your convenience. Payment is required at the time of booking.
What is the difference between at Dietitian and a Nutritionist?
Dietitian
The term dietitian is a protected term. A dietitian is a registered health professional who meets standards required by the Dietitians Board and has both an undergraduate science degree in human nutrition and a post-graduate qualification in dietetics. To practice in New Zealand, a dietitian must, by law, be registered with the Dietitians Board and hold a current practicing certificate. The Dietitians Board protects the health and safety of the New Zealand public under the Health Practitioners Competency Act (HPCA) 2003, by ensuring that every dietitian working in New Zealand is fit to practice and meets standards of professionalism. In New Zealand dietitians are the only nutrition health profession to be regulated by law. Dietitians work in a variety of settings from hospitals, the community, public health, food service, sports, education, research, media and the food industry. The Dietitians Board regulates the dietetic profession and only those on the Register can call themselves a dietitian and practice as a dietitian.
Click here to check your nutrition health professional is registered with the Dietitians Board and has a current Annual Practising Certificate (APC).
Nutritionist
The term nutritionist is not a protected term, there is no specific qualification or statutory legislation that regulates that profession and therefore the title can be used freely by anyone. This could range from someone with a PHD in a specialty area of nutrition to someone with no formal training. The Nutrition Society has a programme for registration of nutritionists where a set criteria must be met to achieve registration status. Nutritionists can be an associate member of Dietitians NZ if they hold a scientific qualification in human nutrition approved by Dietitians NZ or occupy a prominent position in work or research relating to nutrition or dietetics.
What is your cancellation policy?
We understand that family commitments can change, if you need to change your appointment, we require 24 hours’ notice or the full appointment fee applies. Please contact us to change your appointment.