Bethan Leach
Bethan Leach is Registered Dietitian for Practice Plus Group, Health in Justice, Thames Valley Region. She is a member of the British Dietetic Association (BDA) and is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Bethan believes food plays a critical role in physical, mental and emotional health. In a prison population already vulnerable to poor health, she is passionate about exploring food provision, food choice and eating behaviours to better understand and improve dietary intake.
She has collaborated with Academics, His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), and local prison Governors/Catering Managers to start to ask these questions.
Before accepting this Health in Justice post in 2009, Bethan was Senior Lecturer in Dietetics at Coventry University where she combined teaching on undergraduate and masters modules with student placement coordination. She led on behaviour change and public health nutrition undergraduate modules, deepening her interest in health inequalities and disease prevention.
Prior to joining Coventry University, Bethan spent six years working in various specialties within NHS Trusts, whilst studying for additional PENG, Sports and Exercise Nutrition, and Education Accreditation (PG Cert Higher Education). She graduated from University of Surrey with BSc (Hons) Nutrition and Dietetics in 2000.
Diet on health in prisons – from research findings to practice initiatives
2 Lessons201 Students