Enteral Feeding and Management
Clinically supervised support for PEG, NG and other feeding tubes. NDIS registered, with trained support workers and registered nurses.
What is Enteral Feeding?
Enteral feeding is a method of supplying nutrients directly into the gastrointestinal tract via a tube. This is used when a person cannot consume adequate nutrition by mouth due to difficulty swallowing, facial or oesophageal abnormalities, eating disorders, neurological conditions, or other medical reasons.
Common tube types include:
- PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy): Inserted directly into the stomach through the abdominal wall
- NG (Nasogastric): Passed through the nose, down the throat and into the stomach
- Gastrostomy: Various types inserted through the abdominal wall into the stomach
- Jejunostomy: Inserted into the small intestines
Feeding via a tube is critical health support that must be delivered with precision and care. When done incorrectly, it can lead to choking, aspiration, infection or malnutrition.
Our Enteral Feeding Support Services
Home Care Experts provides high-intensity support for NDIS participants with enteral feeding needs. We work under clinical care plans developed by qualified health practitioners and maintain close liaison with your participant's medical team.
Our support includes:
- PEG or NG tube feeding as per your prescribed mealtime plan
- Monitoring of feed rate, volume and tolerance
- Managing behavioural risks like tube dislodgement
- Daily cleaning and stoma site care
- Monitoring for symptoms including aspiration, reflux, vomiting, chest congestion, dehydration or poor weight gain
- Safe escalation when health intervention is required
- Communication with allied health and clinical team as needed
- Tube flushing protocols to prevent blockage
- Oral health support even when feeding is via tube
All our support workers are trained to the NDIS High Intensity Support Skills Descriptor for Enteral Feeding and are assessed as competent before delivering care.
Safe enteral feeding support starts here. Contact Home Care Experts today
Who Does What: Support Workers and Registered Nurses
Home Care Experts employs both NDIS support workers and registered nurses. Each has a different scope of practice. It is critical to understand what each can and cannot do to keep your participant safe.
Support Worker Responsibilities
Trained and assessed as competent for day-to-day enteral feeding support:
- Administering feeds via pump, gravity drip or syringe
- Daily PEG stoma cleaning and tube rotation
- Tube flushing before and after feeds and medications
- Monitoring feed tolerance and adjusting rate as per care plan
- Observing for complications and symptoms
- Recording all feeds and participant responses
- Escalating health concerns to qualified practitioners
Registered Nurse Responsibilities
Clinical assessment, plan development, training and complex interventions:
- Health and medical assessments
- Developing and reviewing enteral feeding care plans
- Training support workers on individual participant needs
- Assessing support worker competency
- Removing or replacing any feeding tube type
- Managing emergencies and complex complications
- Liaising with GPs and specialist medical teams
Critical Safety Information: Tube Replacement
Nasogastric (NG) tubes are high-risk. If an NG tube becomes dislodged or removed, only a registered nurse or doctor can replace it. This is not a task NDIS support workers can perform under any circumstances.
Why this matters: NG tubes pass through the nose, down the throat and into the stomach. Incorrect insertion can cause serious complications including aspiration pneumonia. This requires clinical training and expertise only nurses or doctors have.
What we do: If an NG tube becomes dislodged, our support worker will immediately stop feeding, secure the area, and arrange urgent replacement at a medical practice or hospital emergency department. Replacement should occur within 2 hours to prevent the stoma from closing.
If a PEG tube becomes dislodged, our support worker will cover the stoma with gauze and secure it. A registered nurse or doctor will then remove or replace the tube. We coordinate replacement urgently (within 2 hours) to prevent complications.
Our Clinical Qualifications
Home Care Experts is NDIS registered and holds certification for Core Module 1: High Intensity Supports. Every enteral feeding team includes clinical supervision from experienced registered nurses.
What This Means for Your Participant
- Compliant with NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators, subject to regular audit by the NDIS Commission
- All staff meet the NDIS Practice Standards: High Intensity Support Skills Descriptors for Enteral Feeding (November 2022, Version 3)
- Support workers are individually trained and assessed as competent before deployment
- Enteral feeding services are supervised by our registered nurses
- Close liaison with GPs, dietitians, speech pathologists and other allied health professionals
- Care plans are developed by qualified health practitioners and reviewed regularly
- Strict infection management procedures, hand hygiene protocols and aseptic techniques
- Person-centred care that respects participant dignity, independence and choice
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a support worker replace a feeding tube if it comes out?
No. If any enteral feeding tube is dislodged, removed or stops working, only a registered nurse or doctor can replace it. This is a high-risk procedure requiring clinical training. We will arrange immediate replacement urgently through a medical practice or hospital emergency department.
What if I'm concerned about my participant's health during feeding?
Our support workers are trained to observe for complications including vomiting, reflux, difficulty breathing, weight changes, skin problems at the stoma site, and behavioural changes that might indicate pain or discomfort. Any health concerns are escalated immediately to a qualified health practitioner. If urgent medical help is needed, we call an ambulance.
How often are care plans reviewed?
Enteral feeding care plans are reviewed regularly and whenever a significant change in the participant's health, needs or circumstances occurs. Reviews involve the participant, family, our clinical team and the participant's medical practitioners.
Do you provide training to family members or informal carers?
Yes. We can provide training to family members or informal carers who wish to help support the participant. Training is delivered by our registered nurses and is tailored to the individual's confidence, learning needs and goals.
What types of tubes do you support?
We provide support for PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy), NG (nasogastric), and other gastrostomy tubes. Each has different care requirements and safety considerations. Our team is trained in the specific care needed for your participant's tube type.
Available across Greater Melbourne?
Yes. Home Care Experts provides enteral feeding support to NDIS participants across metropolitan Melbourne and surrounding areas. If you are unsure whether we service your area, please contact us to discuss your needs.
Ready to Discuss Enteral Feeding Support?
Contact Home Care Experts today. Our team will work with you and your healthcare providers to ensure safe, confident feeding management and the best outcomes for your participant.
Book a Consultation