Nasogastric tube feeding under restraint: practical guidance for children’s nurses has been created by Sarah Fuller and a very experienced team, both in terms of the practical aspects, as well as the legal aspects of the mental health act. Sarah Fuller and her team have interviewed many families, patients and hospital staff in order to create very clear and practical guidance which will serve to minimise the distress associated with nasogastric feeding under restraint for all involved.
The number of children and young people admitted to children’s wards with an eating disorder has increased significantly since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In the most extreme cases, those with severe malnutrition may need to be fed via a nasogastric tube without their consent. Children’s nurses working on hospital wards may therefore care for children and young people who need to receive nasogastric tube feeding under physical restraint. This article offers an overview of eating disorders and their detrimental effects as well as practical advice for children’s nurses, supporting them to provide safe, compassionate and person-centred care to their patients.
For those families whose loved one is currently, or might be NG fed under restraint ,this is very clear and very reassuring guidance both for families, the patient and the hospital staff involved.
You can read the full guidance here