Nasogastric Tube Special Interest Group (NG SIG)

Aims:

1. To provide a multi-professional forum enabling discussion on best practice between those health professionals in the UK who provide Nasogastric (NG) therapy (for the purpose of feeding, fluids or medication) to adults and children.
2. Through communication and facilitation of research and audit, the group will foster excellence within the UK in the provision of NG therapy (in the context of managing clinically assisted enteral nutrition/hydration/medication). Excellence of care should include all aspects of Nasogastric tube (NGT) safety and usage.
3. To foster, develop and support BAPEN core groups to assist health professionals in the management of NG therapy.
4. To assist BAPEN and other external organisations where appropriate in reviewing matters relating to NG therapy (in the context of managing clinically assisted enteral nutrition/hydration/medication).

Objectives:

1. To assist in the development of consistent best practice across the UK for activities related to NG therapy. This might include guideline development, setting up a communications network for support and advice amongst its members, and support relevant audit and research activities.
2. To support the educational meetings of interest to its members which may have educational, audit, or scientific content.
3. To liaise with other national bodies such as NNNG, PINNT, BDA, RCSLT, NHSE/I and HSIB to further the safety of NGT therapy.

Operation:

1. Membership of the group will be open free of charge to any health professional who has an interest in NG therapy and who is a member of BAPEN
2. The group will be a deemed a Special Interest Group within BAPEN, and therefore will adhere to the BAPEN Constitution.
3. The group will appoint a Chair and an honorary secretary. These roles will be elected by the NGSIG group every 2 years according to the committee’s needs. The chair will represent NGT therapy on BAPEN council
4. The group will hold regular in person or virtual meetings to support its aims and objectives (Quarterly meetings).
5. The activities of the group will be reported to the BAPEN Executive Committee and to Council by the Chair of the committee.
6. Finances: Expenses incurred by Committee members will be reimbursed by BAPEN following receipt of an expenses claim form. Meetings of the group will be organised in line with BAPEN guidelines and all costs involved recorded in the BAPEN accounts.

Exclusions from ToR:

1. Use and safety of nasogastric tubes used solely for drainage purposes (Drain/Ryles tubes) except where common ground can be identified.

Dr Barry J M Jones Bsc, MBBS, MD, FRCP. Consultant Gastroenterologist (Retired). Trustee of BAPEN and Chair of BAPEN IAC., Chair, AGP Alliance

Wendy-Ling Relph: Clinical & Service Lead: Nutrition & Hydration, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr Stephen Taylor PhD: Critical Care and Research Dietitian, North Bristol NHS Trust

Linda Broomfield, Lead CNS Nutrition, Hywel Dda University Health Board

Suzy Cole, Clinical Practice Manager at Nutricia, Committee member NNNG

Emma Sykes, Stroke and Nutrition Support Dietitian

Rosie Smyth, Nutricia Nurse

Mairi Pedersen, Nutrition Specialist Nurse, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

Oscar Walton, Specialist Renal Dietitian, Nottingham University Hospitals

NGSIG Group Entry requirements:

• Member of BAPEN
• A healthcare professional involvement in NGT care (indication, positioning and confirmation, NGT care and use) in both adult and paediatric populations.
• A passion and enthusiasm advancing NGT practices and policies.

Role description

Members of NGSIG would be expected in contribution and involvement in the following:

• Develop consistent best practice for NGT therapy within the UK through the production, communication, and discussion of NGT related research, audits, and guidelines development.
• Engage in quarterly to discuss activities of the group and areas relevant to the group aim: achieving consistent best practice for NGT therapy across the UK.
• Engage in a communication network to support members with relevant audit and research activities, and guideline development. 
• Support other BAPEN core groups and healthcare professionals in NGT therapy management. Members are encouraged to liaise with other professional groups such as NNNG, BDA, PINNT, HSIB, NHSE to support consistent best practice.

Membership is free of charge and members will elect a chair and honorary secretary every 2 years. The chair will represent NGT therapy on the BAPEN council, highlighting the groups activity to the BAPEN council and disseminating feedback back to the NG-SIG group.

This group encourages all healthcare professionals with an enthusiasm for promoting and advancing NGT care practices to apply. It is an excellent opportunity to represent your professions input with NGT care and support innovation within this field.