We care for people affected by cancer

Meet Peter Mac’s Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) and PEG nutrition team. This small group of specialist dietitians support almost 400 patients each year to stay nourished before, during, and after cancer treatment. Their work helps patients manage tube feeding safely and confidently. 

Many people don’t realise that tube feeding is part of daily life for a significant number of patients. 

If a person cannot eat or drink by mouth, a Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) tube can be inserted directly into the stomach. Patients are educated in safely administering nutrient dense formulas at regular mealtimes, helping them maintain a sense of normality.  

This approach helps patients stay nourished and continue their treatment or recovery without needing to be in hospital.  

Tube feeding is most common in people receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. People with upper gastrointestinal cancers also often require them. 

Dietitian Jane Stewart says it often surprises people when she explains the work she does. Most assume dietitians spend their time giving healthy eating advice. 

“People have no idea that dietitians do this work,” she said. “People don’t realise there is a whole cohort of people who cannot eat and rely on a tube for their nutrition.”

Patients speak openly about how life changing the HEN and PEG service can be. Penny, who has lived with a gastrostomy tube for eight years, describes the team as essential. 

“I am so grateful for my tube and the PEG service,” she says, “They saved my life. The team provides me everything I need.”

Ian, who has had his tube for 10 years, said it helped him stay nourished when eating was difficult. “The tube saves your life when you can’t eat and drink. Now I can eat small amounts and top up my nutrition. The service is excellent.”

Jane and her team are proud to support their patients with feeding plans, tube changes and removals, tube care, and troubleshooting. The team is there for patients every step of the way, from the early adjustment period through to long term support. 

Many patients have their tubes for a few months. Others rely on their tubes for years, with tube feeding becoming part of their normal, active life. 

Patient Ross said the team’s advice helped him manage well. “When I got my (low profile) button PEG it allowed me to restart my active lifestyle including swimming and going to the gym.” 

Behind these experiences is a team working with care, precision, and collaboration. The PEG Dietitians work closely with the broader PEG Team, including the stomal therapists and PEG doctors.

Tube feeding can seem intimidating, but with the right support it’s manageable and empowering. The HEN and PEG nutrition team help patients navigate this part of treatment with confidence and dignity, helping people stay nourished when they need it most. 

Find out more about Peter Mac’s Nutrition and Dietetics service on our website.