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Tube Feeding

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What is tube feeding?

Tube feeding (also known as enteral feeding or home enteral feeding) is a method of providing liquid nutrition to those who are unable to achieve this through an oral diet. The feeding tube will be placed either into your stomach or small bowel.

Why do I need a feeding tube?

There are several reasons why people may require a feeding tube e.g. those with a medical condition that results in swallowing difficulties or increased nutritional requirements. Some people may require feeding short term or some require this on a longer-term basis.

Further information regarding types of feeding tubes and different methods of feeding can be found in the additional information section at the bottom of the page.

Who can support me when I am home with a feeding tube?

Dietitian

NHS Forth Valley have several specialist dietitians based within the community to support you. This may be face to face in your own home or at a specialist enteral feeding clinic or this may be via the telephone or email.

Nutricia Homeward Nurse

Employed by Nutricia, our registered nurse will provide enteral tube training before you leave the hospital and then they will do an initial visit when you are discharged to make sure everything is going ok.

Nutricia Homeward Service

The Nutricia Homeward Service helps patients and carers manage tube feeding at home safely and independently.

Self Help Leaflets and Resources for Patients and Carers

Easy Read Resources

  • Easy Health – Easy Health are an online library of accessible health information with simple words, clear pictures and films. They have easy read resources on various health topics including Having a Peg (Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy)

Useful Websites, Videos and Apps

  • Enteral Nutrition – PINNT – A support group for people receiving artificial nutrition
  • Enteral Nutrition – BAPEN – The British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
  • Enteral Tube Feeding – Your questions answered – Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Group (PENG), National Nurses Nutrition Group and PINNT – A support group for people receiving artificial nutrition.
  • Having an Enteral Feeding Tube – Further questions to ask – Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Group (PENG), National Nurses Nutrition Group and PINNT – A support group for people receiving artificial nutrition.
  • Videos of Tube Feeding Procedures – Tayside Nutrition and Dietetic Service. Procedures include passing a nasogastric feeding tube, replacing a gastrostomy tube, Bolus Feeding down a gastrostomy tube and more…
  • Malnutrition – NHS Forth Valley
  • MyMND My Tube – This website supports people living with Motor Neuron Disease (MND). The website contains short films about making the decision to have a feeding tube placed, experience of having a tube fitted, caring for the tube and the carers experience.
  • Nutrition in Cancer – NHS Forth Valley

Other Useful Websites

  • Care Information Scotland – If you look after someone, need care yourself or are planning for your future care needs, get information and advice to support you. Call 0800 011 3200 from Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.
  • Cost of Living Support – Scottish Government.
In an Emergency call 999 for health advice and reassurance call NHS24 on 111.
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