Feeding Tube Awareness Week

16/01/2026

1^st – 7^th February 2026

What Does a Feeding Tube Do?

Tube feeding (enteral nutrition) is a way for people to receive essential nutrition when eating by mouth isn’t possible or sufficient. The requirement for tube feeding is not limited by age. The duration of tube feeding can vary significantly depending on individual needs. Some people may require tube feeding for only a short period, while others may need it as a long-term or even lifelong solution

. This flexibility ensures that nutritional support is tailored to each person's medical circumstances and recovery goals. Medically prescribed nutrition in liquid form is delivered directly into the digestive system – such as the stomach or small bowel – via a dedicated tube. This method ensures that individuals get the nutrients they need to maintain health and wellbeing. PINNT welcomes the growing use of blended food in tube feeding, recognising that it offers individuals greater choice and flexibility in meeting their nutritional needs.

Feeding tubes are not just life-saving – they are life-enhancing as they help prevent malnutrition, improve quality of life, and manage severe symptoms that can make eating or digesting food difficult. Having said that, PINNT recognises that it is not a positive experience for everyone – some people face ongoing challenges such as discomfort, complications with their tubes, or difficulties adapting to life with artificial nutrition.

What Different Types of Feeding Tubes are there?

There are different types of feeding tube depending on where the tube enters the body, and which part of the digestive system the individual is fed into. Nasal tubes enter through the nose and can feed either into the stomach (nasogastric/NG tube) or into the small intestine/jejunum (nasojejunal/NJ tube). In longer term feeding, tubes may be placed by inserting them directly through a small site (stoma) in the abdominal wall. This is called a gastrostomy when it is placed directly into the stomach. The terms PEG or RIG may be used depending on how it was placed. If the tube feeds into the small intestine (jejunum) it is called a jejunostomy. Another alternative is accessing the stomach and passing an extension tube into the jejunum – this is called a PEG-J and can be used when both the stomach and jejunum need to be accessed.

Common reasons for tube feeding include:

Digestive conditions (e.g., gastroparesis, achalasia)
Cancer
Blockages in the bowel
Severe diarrhoea or vomiting
Eating disorders
Neurological conditions affecting swallowing e.g. Stroke
Other medical conditions affecting nutrition

Living with a Feeding Tube

Living with a feeding tube is a very individual experience, the commonality is the tube itself, not the experience – what works well for one person may be quite different for another. It’s important that we listen to and respect everyone’s story, valuing each person’s perspective and recognising that every experience matters. We must be mindful that many people are supported by loved ones, often unpaid carers who make such a valuable contribution to daily living, adjustment and adapting to living with a feeding tube.

The recent report published by BAPEN and PINNT in August 2025 showcases the views of people living with a feeding tube: https://www.bapen.org.uk/pdfs/reports/home-enteral-tube-support-services-report.pdf

You can view the animation that depicts the report’s findings: https://youtu.be/_NkDzm5FBKI?si=wZA2e8Bl-Mie09qQ

We will be sharing members’ stories previously shared during HAN Week to share the voices of those living with an enteral feeding tube during Feeding Tube Awareness Week.

PINNT recognises both enteral and parenteral feeding during Home Artificial Nutrition Week in August, but we take this opportunity to highlight the clinical need for tube feeding along with experiences of people living with enteral feeding. HAN Week 2026: 3-9 August 2026.

How you can help:

Share your lived experience of having a feeding tube on your social platforms or groups you are a member of, or discuss it with your support network. Tag @PINNT into your posts.
Starting a conversation about tube feeding will raise awareness.

Back