Oral Feeding Difficulties and Dilemmas

Tuesday, 05 January 2010 10:32

A guide to practical care, particularly towards the end of life

Report of a joint RCP/BSG Working Party - January 2010

‘Nil by mouth’ should be a last resort rather than the first option... That is the central message from a ‘Working Party’ report published jointly by the Royal College of Physicians and the British Society of Gastroenterology. Entitled ‘Oral feeding difficulties and dilemmas: A guide to practical care, particularly towards the end of life’, it has been prepared in response to continuing unease about the lack of consensus, including among doctors, about when artificial nutrition and hydration is appropriate.

Its authors (a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals with an interest in nutrition matters, ethical experts and patient representatives) have reviewed the clinical and ethical arguments surrounding the tube feeding of those patients who, often near the end of life are experiencing swallowing difficulties either as a result of neurological illness or other substantial disabilities.

The report’s ultimate aim is to improve care by providing healthcare professionals, patients, their families and carers with practical advice that has a sound legal and ethical basis, and to prevent distressing and complicated disagreements.

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[Paper copies of the report may be ordered from the Royal College of Physicians' website]