What is gastrostomy care?
A gastrostomy is a small surgical opening made through the wall of the abdomen into the stomach. A feeding device sits in this opening, allowing food, fluids and medication to be delivered straight into the stomach, bypassing the mouth and throat. The most common type is a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, usually shortened to PEG.
Gastrostomy care is the day-to-day support that keeps the tube working properly, the surrounding skin healthy and feeding routines on track. It can be managed at home with help from carers, district nurses and other healthcare professionals, alongside family where they wish to be involved.
Who might benefit from gastrostomy care?
A gastrostomy is generally used when someone cannot take in enough food or fluid by mouth, but their digestive system is otherwise working well. This might include someone living with a neurological condition such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease, someone recovering after a stroke, or someone whose swallowing has been affected by illness or injury.
Everyone’s situation is different. Some people need a gastrostomy for a short period during recovery; for others, it becomes a settled part of daily life. Our care adapts to where you are and what you need.
What our gastrostomy care at home can include
We take time to understand your routines, preferences and clinical needs, then build support around them. As part of an agreed, personalised care plan, our carers can help with:
- Feeding support
Preparing and delivering feed through the tube, whether your regimen is given in set amounts (bolus feeding) or slowly via a pump (continuous feeding).
- Skin and stoma care
Keeping the area around the tube clean and dry, and noticing any changes.
- Personal care
Discreet, respectful help with washing, dressing and everyday hygiene.
- Tube care
Flushing, cleaning and connecting the feeding device to help keep it working as it should.
- Medication support
Prompting and helping with medication given through the tube, within your care plan.
- Companionship and practical help
A familiar face, a conversation and a hand with the things that make home easier to manage.
Our carer colleagues work alongside the wider clinical team supporting you. They observe, support, record and report, working closely with nurses, dietitians, GPs and other healthcare professionals rather than replacing their clinical role. Any changes to your feeding regime are made in line with guidance from the healthcare professionals overseeing your nutrition.
Looking after the gastrostomy site
Keeping the skin around the tube clean and dry is one of the most important parts of day-to-day care. Our carers can support this routine and help you feel confident with it over time.
Once your carer knows what the site normally looks and feels like for you, any changes are easier to spot. Any changes should be escalated to your nurse or GP if you notice redness, swelling, leakage around the tube, or discomfort during feeding.
Raising these early means they can be looked into promptly, and you are never managing it on your own.
Nurse-led expertise you can trust
An experienced registered nurse plans the care, guides the carers delivering it and reviews how things are going as needs change. Our carers are carefully selected, trained for the support they provide and matched to you with continuity in mind, helping you see familiar faces and build trusted relationships over time.
We also coordinate with the wider team around you, including district nurses, dietitians, GPs and hospital specialists, so your care at home remains connected with the wider support you receive.
Living well at home with a gastrostomy
Care is about more than the clinical routine. Home is where familiar surroundings, routines and relationships live, and a gastrostomy does not have to change what makes it feel like yours. With practical support in place, many people find they have more energy and confidence for the things they enjoy, whether that is time with family, a favourite hobby or simply a proper conversation over the course of the day.
