Nasogastric (NG) Tube Feeding and Care

Full Description

The Nasogastric (NG) Tube Feeding and Care Face-to-Face Clinical Skills Course is designed for healthcare staff who support adults receiving nutrition, fluids or prescribed medicines through an NG tube. The course gives learners a practical understanding of why NG tubes are used, the safety risks involved and the checks required before feeding or flushing takes place.

Learners are guided through person-centred preparation, infection prevention, equipment checks, documentation, tube fixation, feed administration, flushing, basic troubleshooting and when to stop and escalate. A major focus is safe tube-position checking. The course reinforces that an NG tube must not be used unless placement has been confirmed by an approved method in line with local policy, and that unsafe methods such as “whoosh testing” must not be used.

The session uses trainer demonstration, supervised hands-on practice, scenario discussion and practical assessment. It is suitable for staff who need structured training before completing workplace competency sign-off, or staff who require a refresher in safe NG feeding practice.

This course does not make learners independently competent by attendance alone. Final authorisation to carry out NG feeding, flushing, medicine support or related care must come from the employer, based on local policy, role boundaries, observed competence and ongoing supervision where required. The course is adult-focused and does not cover paediatrics, neonatal care, PEG/PEJ care, nasojejunal feeding, independent tube insertion, X-ray interpretation or prescribing feeding regimens.

Scope

This course covers adult NG tube feeding and ongoing care at practical support level. It is suitable for staff who are expected to assist with or carry out NG feeding under local policy and employer authorisation.

The course does not cover paediatric or neonatal NG feeding, PEG/PEJ management, nasojejunal feeding, independent tube insertion, X-ray interpretation, prescribing feed regimens or advanced dietetic decision-making.

Aim

The aim of this course is to develop learners’ knowledge, confidence and practical skill in supporting safe NG tube feeding, flushing, monitoring, documentation and escalation in adult care settings.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is suitable for:

1. Registered nurses who require NG feeding training or refresher training.
2. Nursing associates and assistant practitioners working within agreed role boundaries.
3. Healthcare assistants and support workers whose employer permits NG feeding support.
4. Care home, community and hospital staff involved in enteral feeding care.
5. Agency or in-house staff preparing for workplace competency assessment.

This course is not suitable for staff who have no employer approval, no local policy support or no pathway for supervised competency sign-off.

What This Course Covers

1. Purpose and indications for NG tube feeding.
2. Staff responsibilities, accountability and local policy.
3. Consent, dignity and person-centred care.
4. Infection prevention and equipment preparation.
5. Pre-feed safety checks and tube-position confirmation principles.
6. Feed administration, water flushing and tube care.
7. Medicines through NG tubes at safe support level.
8. Monitoring tolerance and recognising red flags.
9. Common problems, including blockage, displacement and aspiration risk.
10. Accurate documentation and escalation of concerns.

Certification and Refresher Recommendation

Learners receive a certificate after completing trainer-led theory, supervised practical skills practice and practical assessment.

The certificate confirms course completion and assessment outcome. It does not replace employer competency sign-off or authorise independent practice unless the employer accepts it as part of their own governance process.

A refresher is recommended every year, or sooner if local policy changes, equipment changes, an incident occurs, the learner changes role, or the learner has not practised the skill for a period of time.