Biography
Irantzu Arregui-Fresneda, originally from northern Spain, is a senior lecturer, course lead, and highly specialist clinical dietitian with over 20 years of experience in dietetic practice within the NHS.
Irantzu earned her Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics from Universidad del País Vasco, Spain, in 1999. Her desire to work in clinical settings led her to move to the UK where she completed a BSc (Hons) in Nutrition & Dietetics from Robert Gordon University in 2003. A committed lifelong learner, she has since engaged in a wide variety of CPD courses and obtained multiple postgraduate qualifications, including Clinical Research Skills (2001), Patient & Public Involvement (2022), and a PGCert in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education (2024). Irantzu is an active member of the British Dietetic Association and has been registered with the Health Professions Council since 2003.
Currently, Irantzu leads the Level 7 Dietetic Integrated Degree Apprenticeship at Health Sciences University while also serving as a Band 7 Highly Specialist Diabetes Dietitian at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust. Her academic and clinical roles are interwoven, creating a holistic and contemporary approach to training future dietitians.
Her research contributions and scholarly output reflect her commitment to advancing practice-based dietetics as illustrated by peer-reviewed studies co-authored on the field of pancreatic nutrition, cystic fibrosis (CF) and CF related diabetes.
Irantzu collaborated on national guidelines and resources for pancreatic disease management, including contributions to the PENG Handbook and PEI dietitian training as part of her role in the NIGPS (Nutrition Interest Group of the Pancreatic Society) committee (2009-2016). She also assisted in the development of ERAS (Early Recovery After Surgery) pathway post pancreatic surgery as part of her regional pancreatic dietetic role at University Hospital Southampton. Her clinical impact also extends to service redesign through patient consultation, virtual clinic evaluations during COVID-19, and poster presentations at local and national conferences.
Irantzu’s dedication to innovative education earned her the Dame Barbara Clayton Award in 2023 for her co-development of a practice-based learning programme at Winchester University. She was also nominated for the CAHPO Award that same year for creativity in placement delivery.
Qualifications 
- Diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics by the Basque Country University, Spain (1999)
- BSc (Hons) Nutrition & Dietetics by the Robert Gordon University (2003)
- Clinical Research Skills MSc Module, Southampton University (2020)
- Patient and Public Involvement in Research MSc Module, Bournemouth University (2021)
- MECC (Making Every Contact Count) Train the Trainer Accreditation, NHS England (2023)
- PGCert Learning & Teaching in Higher Education, Winchester University (2024)
Awards
- BDA Dame Barbara Clayton Award winner (2023) for innovative PBL design and implementation
- CAHPO (Chief Allied Health Professions Officer) Award Nomination (2023) for AHP creative provision of placements
Memberships
- Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) member
- British Dietetic Association (BDA) member
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Research interests
Irantzu is a senior lecturer, course lead, and highly specialist clinical dietitian with over 20 years of experience in dietetic practice in the NHS.
Experience, Areas of interest/expertise:
- Hepato-pancreatico-biliary (HPB) Specialist Dietitian (benign, cancer and surgery) (2007-2016)
- Cystic Fibrosis Specialist Dietitian (2016-2023)
- Diabetes Specialist Dietitian (Type 1, 2, 3c, including modern diabetes technology
Research interests:
Irantzu has a keen interest in the research topic of Patient and Public Involvement in Healthcare and Education. She is also interested in exploring concepts such as psychological safety, compassionate leadership and civility.
Research:
Since graduating in 2003, Irantzu has collaborated in several research opportunities as part of her clinical roles within the NHS (see publications section for further information).
Publications
- Revuelta Iniesta, R, Causer, A. J, Arregui‐Fresneda, I, Connett, G, Allenby, M. I, Daniels, T, Carroll M, Urquhart S & Saynor, Z. L (2021). The impact of plasma 25‐hydroxyvitamin D on pulmonary function and exercise physiology in cystic fibrosis: a multicentre retrospective study. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Link here.
- Holt R, Ogbolu, C, Arregui-Fresneda I & Daniels T (2020). Some young adults with cystic fibrosis-related diabetes may safely stop insulin without any adverse clinical sequalae. Link here.
- Causer A, Shute J, Cummings MH, Shepherd A, Wallbanks S, Allenby M, Arregui-Fresneda I, Bright V, Carroll M, Connett G, Daniels T, Meredith T & Saynor Z (2019). The implications of dysglycaemia on aerobic exercise and ventilatory function in cystic fibrosis. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, Vol 19 (3):427-433.
- Meredith T, Bright V, Causer A, Cummings MH, Shepherd A, Arregui-Fresneda I, Carroll MO, Daniels T, Connett G & Saynor Z (2019). Ventilatory parameters during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in people with Cystic Fibrosis-elated Diabetes (CFRD): a potential barrier to exercise? Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, 18: S45.
- Abu-Hilal M, Armstrong TH, Arregui-Fresneda I, Di Fabio F, Johnson CD, Layfield DM, Panagiotopoulou IG & Pearce NW (2013). Postoperative chyle leak after major pancreatic resections in patients who receive enteral feed: risk factors and management options. World Journal of Surgery,37(12):2918-2926.
- Wise A, Arregui-Fresneda I, Duncan L & Moalosi G (2008). Visual Perception of portion Size. Ecology of Food & Nutrition, 47: 126-134.
Conference & Regional Presentations
- ‘What Matters to you? Patient & Public Involvement – Embedded consultation approach to redesigning cystic fibrosis services at UHS NHS Foundation Trust’ poster submission to the Always Improving conference at UHS NHS Foundation Trust (2022)
- ‘Improving access to specialist diabetes services for people with cystic fibrosis’ poster submission to Always Improving conference at UHS NHS Foundation Trust (2019)
- ‘Dietetic management of cystic fibrosis related diabetes’ presentation at the Wessex Cystic Fibrosis Club meeting (2017)
- ‘Pancreatic enzyme delivery via feeding tubes’ presentation at the Nutrition Symposium of the Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland annual conference (2013)
Contact details
Email: IArregui-Fresneda@aecc.ac.uk
