Home enteral nutrition (HEN)
NDIS support
Nutrition delivered through a feeding tube at home.
The short answer
Home enteral nutrition is nutrition delivered through a feeding tube at home. It includes the formula and supplies, along with training and guidance from health professionals.
About Home enteral nutrition (HEN)
Some people cannot eat or drink enough by mouth, or cannot do so safely, and receive nutrition through a tube that goes into the stomach or small intestine. Doing this at home means having the right formula, equipment such as pumps and syringes, and the skills to use it confidently and safely.
A team usually looks after tube feeding. A doctor oversees the medical side, a dietitian works out the formula and routine, a speech pathologist may assess swallowing, and nurses help with tube care and troubleshooting. Family members or support workers are trained to help with day-to-day feeds.
Supplies are commonly delivered to the home, and it is important to know how to reorder, what to do if something runs low or a piece of equipment fails, and who to call out of hours. Regular reviews help make sure the plan still suits the person as their needs change.
Who is this service for?
People who receive nutrition through a feeding tube at home, along with the formula, equipment and guidance they need.
What a typical session looks like
Home enteral nutrition means receiving nutrition through a tube into the stomach or bowel, in your own home. A typical day includes preparing the feed, connecting the equipment, running the feed at the right rate, flushing the tube and cleaning the equipment afterwards. Some people do this themselves, while others have help from a carer, support worker or nurse.
Regular reviews with a dietitian and nurse check that the feed, the amount and the timing are right and that the tube site is healthy. They also help with practical problems such as blockages, leaks and skin irritation, and with supplies and equipment.
Who delivers this support
Enteral nutrition is managed by a team that may include a doctor, a dietitian, a nurse, a speech pathologist and sometimes a specialised nutrition nurse. Support workers can help with feeds when they have been trained and are supervised. Training is essential, and the person or carer who will do the feeds should feel confident before the hospital or clinic hands over.
How to choose a provider
- Ask who will train you and any support workers, and how often the training is refreshed.
- Find out how supplies are ordered and delivered and what happens if you run short.
- Ask who to call if there is a problem, including out of hours.
- Check how the dietitian and other health professionals stay in touch.
- Ask about cleaning and storage of equipment.
Questions to ask a provider
- Who will train me or my carers, and how do we know when we are confident?
- Who do I call for help outside business hours if there is a problem with the tube or the feed?
- How are supplies ordered and delivered, and what if they are delayed?
- How often will the dietitian and nurse review the feeding plan?
- Are support workers trained and supervised to help with feeds?
- How should we plan for travel, holidays and hospital stays?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the training too short, so carers feel unsure when problems arise.
- Running out of supplies because there is no reliable ordering process.
- Not asking who to call after hours.
- Not keeping the dietitian informed when weight, health or appetite changes.
- Not cleaning equipment and tube sites as instructed, which raises the risk of infection.
Getting started
- Talk to your doctor and dietitian about the feeding plan.
- Arrange training for everyone who will help with feeds.
- Set up a supply and delivery arrangement.
- Keep a contact list for emergencies and schedule regular reviews.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
Home enteral nutrition sits within a wider health plan, and it works with community nursing, dietetic care, equipment supply and sometimes speech pathology if swallowing is affected. Supplies come regularly, so a reliable ordering and delivery system is an important part of the arrangement. Planning for holidays, hospital stays and emergencies helps prevent gaps in care.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Home enteral nutrition (HEN) if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
Funding
Which part of an NDIS plan pays for Home enteral nutrition (HEN) depends on the specific support and on how your plan is set up. Your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator can confirm where it fits, and providers can give you a quote to check against your budget. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.
What it costs
Supports such as Home enteral nutrition (HEN) that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.
Nursing providers on the NDIS register
8,227 NDIS providers list nursing supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.
Providers listing nursing
- 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
- 1 All Care - SA; includes Findon, SA
- 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
- 1 Heart Care Services - NSW; includes Orange, NSW
- 1 In Town Services - SA; includes Mansfield Park, SA
- 1 The Helpers - NSW; includes Parramatta, NSW
- 1-Care - NSW; includes Lalor Park, NSW
- 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
- 121 Best Care - QLD; includes Calamvale, QLD
- 13 Care Solutions - VIC; includes Cobblebank, VIC
- 13 Health Service Organisation - VIC; includes Donnybrook, VIC
- 13homecare - NSW; includes Doonside, NSW
See all 8,227 nursing providers
Listings by state and territory
- New South Wales (2,692)
- Victoria (2,375)
- Queensland (1,539)
- South Australia (857)
- Western Australia (812)
- Australian Capital Territory (207)
- Tasmania (156)
- Northern Territory (156)
Suburbs with the most listings
- Brisbane, QLD (407)
- Melbourne, VIC (330)
- Sydney, NSW (246)
- Perth, WA (205)
- Central Coast, NSW (197)
- Adelaide, SA (185)
- Blacktown, NSW (169)
- Parramatta, NSW (155)
- Ipswich, QLD (140)
- Geelong, VIC (127)
- Tarneit, VIC (127)
- Canberra, ACT (125)
Listings covering the most areas
- Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
- Nurse Next Door Batemans Bay - 413 areas
- Hunter Valley Care & Assistance - 249 areas
- Nurse Next Door Ballarat - 233 areas
- Nurse Next Door Armidale - 230 areas
- Nurse Next Door Wagga Wagga - 207 areas
- Nurse Next Door Canberra - 189 areas
- Huge Care - 188 areas
Checking credentials
- Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
- Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
- Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.
Regulation and safeguards
NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
- National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.
Related services
- Individualised Living Options (ILO)
- Interpreting and translation
- Nursing training for support workers
- Personal training
Frequently asked questions
What is home enteral nutrition?
Nutrition delivered through a feeding tube at home. It includes the formula and supplies, along with training and guidance from health professionals.
Who supports someone on tube feeding?
Usually a team: a doctor, a dietitian, sometimes a speech pathologist and nurses, plus family or support workers trained to help. Regular review keeps the plan suitable.
How are supplies delivered?
Suppliers commonly deliver formula and equipment to your home on a schedule. Ask about ordering, delivery times and who to call if something goes wrong.
Can a person on tube feeding also eat by mouth?
Sometimes. It depends on their swallowing and health, so follow the advice of the speech pathologist and doctor.
What if the tube comes out?
Your health team will give you an emergency plan. Keep the number of who to call and follow their instructions.
Can I go out or travel?
Many people do. Plan supplies and equipment ahead, and speak to your team about travelling.
Can a support worker help with tube feeding?
Yes, once they have been properly trained and are supervised by a nurse or other health professional. The training needs to cover the specific equipment and routines for the person they support.
What should I do if the tube becomes blocked or comes out?
Follow the instructions you were given, and contact your nurse, doctor or hospital promptly if you cannot fix it. Make sure you know the emergency steps before you need them.
Can I still eat and drink by mouth?
Some people can, and some cannot safely swallow. A speech pathologist and doctor will advise on what is safe for you.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Home enteral nutrition (HEN)?
If Home enteral nutrition (HEN) is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
How do I find a Home enteral nutrition (HEN) provider near me?
Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.
Sources and further reading
- NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint
Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory
Helpful reading
- How to choose an NDIS provider: 12 questions to ask before you commit: A practical checklist for comparing providers, from how a service fits your plan to what happens when something goes wrong.
- Registered or unregistered? What it means when you choose an NDIS provider: Registered and unregistered providers can both be legitimate, but the rules, checks and options for your plan are not the same. Here is how to think about the difference.
- How to change NDIS provider without losing support: You are allowed to change providers. A little planning means the new service is ready before the old one ends, and nothing falls through the gap.