With HCPC renewal approaching, some UK registered dietitians will soon receive the email inviting them to submit a CPD audit.

Even the most organised professional can have a brief moment of “Wait… two years of CPD? Where do I even start?”

That initial surge of stress is a classic fight-or-flight response. When we perceive pressure or uncertainty, our nervous system shifts into alert mode. Heart rate rises, breathing changes, and interestingly the gut often reacts too.

Why? Because the gut and brain are in constant two-way communication through the vagus nerve. This is part of what’s known as the gut–brain axis. It’s the same pathway responsible for that pre-interview “butterfly” sensation, sudden bloating before a presentation, or stomach cramps when we’re anxious.

The gut isn’t just reacting to food — it’s responding to emotion, workload, and perceived threat. In evolutionary terms, this system was designed to keep us safe. In modern life, it tends to activate for inbox notifications rather than predators!

So what can help when stress shows up physically?

• Slow, diaphragmatic breathing to stimulate the vagus nerve
• Stepping away briefly to reset perspective
• Breaking large tasks into small, manageable steps
• Gentle movement or a short walk
• Adequate sleep and regular meals to keep the nervous system steady

Awareness alone can be powerful recognising “this is stress, not danger” often reduces the intensity of physical symptoms. For any dietitians currently feeling those CPD-audit butterflies… remember, support and structured tools exist here sometimes the quickest way to calm the gut is simply knowing you have a clear plan in front of you.
​And breathe....

Dietitians in the UK are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which exists to protect the public and ensure professionals continue to practise safely and effectively. As part of this responsibility, dietitians renew their HCPC registration every two years and confirm that they continue to meet the required standards, including maintaining Continuing Professional Development (CPD). At each renewal cycle, approximately 2.5% of registrants are selected at random to submit their CPD profile for audit. This process is not a reflection of performance, but rather a routine quality-assurance measure designed to demonstrate that learning and development are ongoing and relevant to professional practice.

Why I Created the HCPC CPD Audit Resources
The idea to create a set of free guidance documents, and later a full HCPC CPD Audit Toolkit, came from countless conversations with fellow dietitians (I love a good natter!) who described the audit process as something that often feels unclear until you are actually selected. Many had completed meaningful CPD, yet felt unsure how to present it, organise it, or demonstrate its benefit to service users.
Developing these resources was a labour of love (!) but also really interesting to experience. It allowed me to step back and look at the audit process from multiple professional perspectives including - NHS, private practice, education and industry and consider what practical tools would genuinely make the process feel simpler rather than more overwhelming.
Since releasing the documents and toolkit, the feedback has been incredibly encouraging (yey!). Practitioners have shared that having a clear structure and practical templates in place has helped reduce anxiety, improve organisation, and bring a sense of calm to what can otherwise feel like a stressful task.
Ultimately, the aim has always been to support dietitians in feeling more confident and prepared, not only if they are selected for audit, but also in building sustainable habits around recording CPD and reflecting on their professional development moving forward.

If you have any feedback on any of the documents, please let me know!
​Amy G