Terms of Engagement

6th November 2026

About these terms

These Terms of Engagement set out how Victoria Dickinson Nutrition will work with you. Victoria Dickinson Nutrition is a trading name of VDNutrition Ltd, registered in England and Wales (company no. 13387681), registered office Wesley Offices, 74 Silver Street, Nailsea, BS48 2DS. In these terms, "Victoria Dickinson Nutrition", "the practice", "we" and "us" mean VDNutrition Ltd, and "you" means the client. You can contact us at hello@victoriadickinson.co.uk or on 07970 071971.

Your booking confirmation. Before you start, you'll receive a booking confirmation setting out your chosen package, what it includes, the price, how you'll pay, and any arrangements agreed specifically with you. Together, these terms and your booking confirmation form our agreement. If anything in your booking confirmation differs from these terms, the booking confirmation applies.

Accepting these terms. You accept these terms by completing the acceptance form we send you, which records the date of the version you've accepted. Please read them carefully and keep a copy. Where the client is under 18, a parent or guardian accepts these terms on the child's behalf.

A. Professional scope and nutritional therapy

Nutritional therapy is a complementary therapy that supports health and wellbeing through personalised, evidence-informed dietary, lifestyle and supplement recommendations. It is designed to work alongside conventional medicine, not replace it.

1. Individualised approach: Consultations involve comprehensive case analysis, dietary review, lifestyle assessment and, where appropriate, recommendations for functional tests or nutritional supplements. Recommendations are bespoke to you and may not be suitable for others.

2. Delivery: Consultations take place online via a secure video platform, or in person at our clinic (The Barns, Stringers Lane, Stevenage, SG2 7EF) by prior arrangement.

B. Clinical limitations, risks and referrals

1. Non-medical practice: Victoria Dickinson is a qualified Nutritional Therapist, registered with the General Naturopathic Council (GNC) and a member of the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners (ANP). She is not a medical doctor and does not diagnose medical conditions, prescribe prescription medicines, or claim to cure disease.

2. Medical advice: Nutritional and lifestyle guidance is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or prescribed treatment. You are advised to maintain an ongoing relationship with your GP or primary healthcare team.

3. Referrals and "red flags": If you present with signs, symptoms or test results outside the professional scope of complementary practice, we may refer you to your GP or a medical specialist, and may pause our work together until you have been seen.

4. Outcomes and possible reactions: Recommendations are prepared with reasonable skill and care, but no guarantee is given of specific outcomes. Health improvements vary between individuals. As with any change to diet or supplements, you may experience temporary digestive or other changes, or individual sensitivities. Please report any adverse reaction promptly.

5. Cancer and supportive care: Nutritional therapy for anyone undergoing cancer investigation or treatment is supportive and complementary only. It aims to support general vitality, nutrition and lifestyle during care, and is provided strictly alongside your medical oncology team, with your GP's or oncologist's awareness.

C. Practitioner responsibilities

Victoria Dickinson Nutrition undertakes to:

1. Act in accordance with the codes of ethics and conduct of the ANP and the GNC.

2. Provide our services with reasonable skill and care, including evaluating potential drug-nutrient interactions based on the medication and supplement information you provide.

3. Maintain professional indemnity, public liability and malpractice insurance at all times (currently arranged through Balens Ltd).

4. Keep your records securely for 7 years after your last consultation, or for clients seen as minors until their 25th birthday (26th if they were 17 when their sessions ended), in line with professional and insurance standards and our Privacy Notice (https://www.victoriadickinson.co.uk/privacy-notice).

5. Commercial transparency: Recommend supplements, functional tests or third-party services based solely on your clinical needs and health goals.

To help with your protocol, we may provide direct product links or pre-populated digital baskets through professional practitioner accounts (such as Natural Dispensary, Amrita Nutrition, or accredited functional testing laboratories). Ordering through these may give you a client discount. In some instances, the practice may receive a small practitioner rebate, commission or trade discount on items or tests ordered.

You are under no obligation to buy recommended supplements or tests through these links, baskets or accounts, and you remain entirely free to buy identical products from any retailer or supplier you choose.

D. Client responsibilities

As the client, you agree to:

1. Full medical disclosure: Fully and accurately disclose all diagnosed medical conditions, symptoms, allergies, prescribed medications and over-the-counter supplements on your health questionnaire and during consultations, and tell us promptly about any changes.

2. Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Tell us immediately if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding.

3. Prescribed treatments: Never stop, alter or reduce any medication or treatment prescribed by a medical practitioner without first consulting that prescriber.

4. GP communication: Tell your GP about any dietary, lifestyle or supplement changes you make, particularly so any interactions with prescribed medication can be monitored.

5. Feedback: Tell us if any part of your protocol is unclear, difficult to follow, or causing discomfort. Protocols should not be continued indefinitely beyond the recommended review period without professional review.

E. Fees, payment and bookings

1. Packages. Your package, what it includes, its price and the payment options available are as described on our website when you book, and are set out in full in your booking confirmation. Where a package can be paid in instalments, the total is the same as paying upfront: there is no extra charge for paying in instalments.

2. Payment methods. You can pay by bank transfer (BACS) or by debit or credit card through our secure payment provider, Stripe. If you pay in instalments, you can either set up a standing order or authorise us to take the scheduled payments automatically from your card. By choosing automatic card payments, you authorise those payments on the dates in your booking confirmation.

3. Cleared funds. Consultations, case analysis and protocol preparation start once we've received cleared funds. If an instalment becomes overdue, consultations and between-session support will be paused until it's paid.

4. Package validity. To maintain momentum and continuity of care, packages must be completed within these periods from your booking date: The Focused Consultation within 8 weeks, The Foundation Partnership within 12 weeks, and The 12-Week Personalised Health Partnership within 16 weeks. Unused consultations after these periods expire without refund, unless we agree otherwise in writing because of illness or other exceptional circumstances.

5. Additional consultations. Follow-up consultations outside or after a package are charged at the existing-client rate of £140 per 45-minute consultation.

6. Cancelling or rescheduling a consultation. Please give at least 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule a consultation. Late cancellations (less than 48 hours' notice) and missed appointments mean that consultation is forfeited, or deducted from your package.

7. Supplements and tests. Fees for private laboratory tests and supplements are entirely separate from package fees and are payable directly to the lab or supplier.

F. Your right to cancel within 14 days

Because you agree to these terms at a distance, you have a legal right to cancel our agreement within 14 days of accepting it, without giving a reason.

1. How to cancel. Email hello@victoriadickinson.co.uk with a clear statement that you wish to cancel, before the 14 days end. You can use the model cancellation form at the end of these terms, but you don't have to.

2. Refunds. We'll refund your payment within 14 days of receiving your cancellation, using the method you paid with.

3. Starting within the 14 days. If you'd like your consultations to begin before the 14 days end, you'll need to request this on your acceptance form. If you then cancel within the 14 days, we'll deduct a proportionate amount for the consultations and work already provided, based on the package price, and refund the rest.

4. When the right ends. If all the services in your package have been fully provided within the 14 days at your request, you lose the right to cancel.

This right is in addition to your other legal rights. After the 14 days, section G and the package terms in section E apply.

G. Changes to appointments and ending our work together

1. If we need to reschedule. If Victoria has to cancel or reschedule a consultation, for example because of illness, we'll give you as much notice as possible and offer another appointment. The consultation won't be lost from your package, and the validity period in section E will be extended to match.

2. If you decide to stop. You can stop at any time by letting us know in writing. After the 14-day cancellation period, fees already paid aren't refundable, and any outstanding instalments for consultations already delivered remain payable.

3. If we end the engagement. We may end our work together if your needs fall outside the scope of nutritional therapy, if you don't follow medical advice in a way that puts your safety at risk, if fees remain unpaid, or if there is abusive or inappropriate behaviour. Unless it's because of unpaid fees or your behaviour, we'll refund any unused consultations on a pro-rata basis.

H. Communication and clinic hours

1. Channels: Between-session support is by email, or by email and WhatsApp messaging where your package includes it, as set out in your booking confirmation.

2. Clinic hours: Messages are monitored Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm.

3. Response times: Practical protocol queries are answered within 24–48 business hours. Messages received at weekends or on UK public holidays are reviewed on the next business day.

4. Scope of support: Messaging is for practical questions and clarification about your existing protocol. New symptoms, substantial protocol changes or acute issues need a dedicated consultation.

5. Emergencies: We don't provide an emergency medical service. In an acute medical emergency, contact your GP surgery, NHS 111, or 999 immediately.

I. Children and young people

1. We work with clients under 18 only with the involvement and consent of a parent or guardian, who accepts these terms and is responsible for payment.

2. A parent or guardian must attend consultations with children, and with young people unless we agree otherwise.

3. As young people mature, we'll involve them directly in decisions about their care and take their views into account, as described in our Privacy Notice (https://www.victoriadickinson.co.uk/privacy-notice).

4. If we have a safeguarding concern, we'll follow our professional safeguarding obligations, which may include contacting the appropriate authorities.

J. Confidentiality and data protection

1. Data protection: VDNutrition Ltd is the data controller for your personal and health information and handles it in line with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, as explained in our Privacy Notice (https://www.victoriadickinson.co.uk/privacy-notice).

2. Confidentiality: Your information is kept strictly confidential, except where you have given explicit consent (for example, to contact your GP or a testing lab), where disclosure is required by law, or where there is an overriding duty to protect you or others from serious harm.

3. Recording: Consultations are not recorded by either of us unless we both agree in advance.

4. Case studies and testimonials: Anonymised clinical information may be used for professional case reviews or education only with your prior written consent. Testimonials are only published with your written permission, as described in our Privacy Notice.

K. Liability

1. We provide our services with reasonable skill and care. We are not responsible for loss or harm that results from information you didn't disclose or disclosed inaccurately, from not following our recommendations or medical advice, or from products or tests supplied by third parties, which are the responsibility of their suppliers.

2. Subject to point 3, our total liability to you is limited to the fees you have paid for your package.

3. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud, or for anything else that can't be excluded or limited by law. Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer.

L. Complaints

If you're unhappy with any aspect of our service, please email hello@victoriadickinson.co.uk so we can try to put it right. We'll acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days and aim to respond fully within 28 days.

If you're not satisfied with our response, you can refer your complaint to the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners or the General Naturopathic Council, whose complaints procedures apply to their members and registrants.

M. General

1. Changes to these terms. We may update these terms from time to time. Changes won't affect a package you've already booked unless you agree; the version you accepted continues to apply to it.

2. Our agreement. These terms, your booking confirmation and our Privacy Notice are the whole of our agreement.

3. Governing law. These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales have jurisdiction. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you may also bring proceedings in your local courts.

Model cancellation form

If you want to cancel within the 14-day period (section F), you can copy and complete this form and email it to hello@victoriadickinson.co.uk. You don't have to use it; any clear statement that you wish to cancel is enough.

To: VDNutrition Ltd, trading as Victoria Dickinson Nutrition, Wesley Offices, 74 Silver Street, Nailsea, BS48 2DS. Email: hello@victoriadickinson.co.uk

I hereby give notice that I cancel my contract for the supply of the following service: [package name]

Agreed on: [date you accepted the terms]

Name: [your name]

Address: [your address]

Signature: [only if sent on paper]

Date: [date]