I support adults who receive nutrition, fluids or medications through a feeding tube, whether the tube provides all of their nutrition or is used alongside eating and drinking by mouth.

This includes people with:

• Nasogastric (NG) tubes

• Nasojejunal (NJ) tubes

• Gastrostomy (G) tubes

• PEG tubes

• Low-profile gastrostomy buttons, including MIC-KEY and similar devices

• Gastrojejunostomy (GJ) tubes

• Jejunostomy (J) tubes

• PEG-J tubes

• Other enteral feeding devices, where dietetic support is appropriate

I can help with feeding regimens, formula selection, nutrition and hydration requirements, oral intake alongside tube feeding, blenderised feeding, troubleshooting nutrition-related issues, and practical routines around tube feeding.

I also work with families, carers, support workers and other members of the healthcare team to make tube feeding more manageable in everyday life.

If you're not sure what type of tube you have or whether I can help, get in touch and we can work it out.

Yes. If your tube feeds aren't going smoothly, we can work through what's happening and look at whether changes to your nutrition or feeding regimen could help.

This might include things like:

• nausea, bloating or reflux

• constipation or diarrhoea

• feeling overly full or uncomfortable during feeds

• difficulty tolerating your current formula

• problems with feeding volumes or timing

• concerns about hydration

• difficulty fitting feeds around sleep, work, appointments or daily life

• changes in your nutritional needs

• difficulty balancing tube feeding with eating and drinking by mouth

• wanting to explore a different feeding method or regimen.

Sometimes a relatively small change to the formula, volume, rate, timing or hydration plan can make a meaningful difference. Other times, symptoms may need assessment by your GP, gastroenterologist, nurse or other treating professional.

If the problem is with the tube itself, for example, it has fallen out, is blocked, leaking, damaged, causing significant pain or there is bleeding around the stoma, you may need prompt medical or nursing assessment. These issues aren't something to wait for a routine dietetic appointment to address.

If you're unsure what's going on, you can contact me and we can work out whether dietetic support is appropriate or whether you need to be directed to another service.

Yes. I support people who are interested in blenderised (real food) tube feeding, including people who are already using blended foods and those considering whether it could be an appropriate option for them.

We can look at things such as:

• whether blenderised feeding is suitable for your individual circumstances

• meeting your nutrition and hydration requirements

• recipes and food combinations

• making sure the diet provides adequate energy, protein, vitamins and minerals

• food preparation, hygiene and safe storage

• blending consistency and tube compatibility

• feeding volumes, timing and practical routines

• balancing blenderised feeds with commercial formula

• how to make feeding work around everyday life, carers and support needs.

Blenderised feeding isn't suitable for every person or every tube, and there can be important considerations around tube type, tube size, medical needs, food safety and nutritional adequacy. I'll work with you to develop an approach that is safe, nutritionally adequate and realistic for your circumstances.

You don't have to choose between “all formula” and “all real food” either, a combination of commercial formula and blenderised food can be an option for some people.

If you're considering a feeding tube, it's completely understandable to have questions about what it involves and whether it might be right for you.

I don't insert feeding tubes, as tube placement is a medical procedure performed by the appropriate medical team. My role is to support you with the nutrition and feeding side of things, both when you're considering tube feeding and once a tube has been placed.

I can help you understand what tube feeding may look like day to day, discuss your nutrition and hydration needs, explore different feeding options, and work with you to develop a feeding approach that fits your life.

If a feeding tube has been recommended, I can also work alongside your medical team to support you before and after placement.

I have advanced experience in gastrostomy management and, in the hospital setting, have worked with tube removal and exchange, including balloon-retained gastrostomy tubes.

However, Nutrition Support Australia is a dietetic service rather than a tube-change service. Tube changes and replacements can involve procedural risks and may require specific equipment, clinical support, medical oversight and an appropriate clinical environment.

For this reason, I don't routinely perform tube changes or replacements through private dietetic appointments.

What I can do is help with the nutrition and feeding side of things, identify when a tube issue needs further assessment, and work with your GP, gastroenterology team, specialist nurse or hospital service where appropriate.

If you're unsure whether your tube needs changing, or you're having problems with it, you're welcome to contact me first and I can help point you in the right direction.

For a private appointment, you don't need a referral. You can contact Nutrition Support Australia directly to book.

If you're accessing my service through Medicare, you'll need an eligible referral or care plan to receive a Medicare rebate.

For NDIS participants, I can work with self-managed and plan-managed participants. The appropriate service agreement and funding arrangements will be confirmed before your first appointment.

If you're a GP, healthcare professional, support coordinator, family member or carer, you can also make a referral on someone's behalf.

Ready to get started? Use the referral button below.