Workforce 
The nutrition department consists of Grade 1- Grade 4 staff and is led by the Nutrition Manager.
All staff are required to maintain a personal development plan, continuous professional development log and participate in quality initiatives.
The department also supervises Masters students from Deakin and Victoria University. This includes co-ordinating clinical placements, lectures and competency assessment.
Quality, Research & Achievements
Clinical nutrition research is a priority for the department. The department is proactive in its involvement in research and is currently undertaking a number of research activities within the department and in conjunction with other Western Health departments, other hospitals and Deakin University.
Members of the department are involved with various projects. Current areas of interest are:
Intensive Care, International Nutrition Survey
Investigating Practices Relating to Malnutrition in Victorian Cancer Services
Malnutrition in Western Health Dialysis Patients
Volunteer Meal Assistance Program
Dining with Friends` Comparison of the protein and energy intake of hospital elderly between two environments- the dining room and bedside'.
Audit on the use of "nil by mouth" and "clear fluid" diet codes on two surgical wards at Western Hospital
Investigation of the impact of ward mealtime environment in achieving adequate oral intake
Audit on the outcomes of patients commenced on enteral feeds in the stroke unit at Western Hospital over a 12 month period.
Audit of patients commenced on Total Parenteral Nutrition across all wards at Western Hospital over a 6 month period.
Gestational Diabetes Modules
Other quality assurance activities including reviews of service provision to patients with various conditions and the development of clinical practice guidelines are also being completed.
