UHNM nurses share specialist knowledge to help improve care for patients needing feeding tube

A team of nurses from University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) are helping improve care for patients who rely on feeding tubes after sharing their specialist knowledge in a national nursing publication.

UHNM’s Nutrition nursing team has written an article for the British Journal of Nursing to help support nurses in recognising and managing complications linked to enteral feeding, where patients receive nutrition through a tube because they are unable to eat enough by mouth.

The team hopes the article will help nurses feel more confident supporting patients, spotting problems earlier and knowing when to seek further advice.

Charlotte Vickers, lead nutrition nurse, said: “For patients who need feeding tubes nutrition is such an important part of their care and recovery.

“We wanted to share practical advice that nurses can use every day, helping them recognise issues, understand what might be happening and make sure patients get the right support at the right time.

“The article covers some of the common challenges patients can experience with enteral feeding, including tube-related issues and complications such as diarrhoea and provides advice on how these can be managed.”

Gareth Latham, nutrition clinical nurse specialist, said: “It’s about making sure nurses have the knowledge and confidence to manage problems appropriately and escalate concerns when needed. Ultimately that helps us provide safer care and a better experience for patients.”

The team supports patients across UHNM, working with ward teams to provide specialist advice, supporting patients with feeding tubes and helping colleagues develop their skills.

Nutrition clinical nurse specialist Jack Turner said: “Nutrition can sometimes become secondary when patients are dealing with other complex health problems, but it is a really important part of their recovery. For patients who rely on feeding tubes, making sure they are cared for properly can make a real difference.”

The article is the first published by members of the UHNM nutrition nursing team and marks another milestone for the service, which has continued to grow in recent years.

Charlotte added: “We’re a small team but we’re really passionate about improving care for patients and supporting our nursing colleagues.

“To have our work recognised and shared nationally is something we’re incredibly proud of.”