Geographical
Area Covered:

Scotland

Background
Information:

Parenteral feeding is a method of feeding which involves the delivery of nutrients directly into the bloodstream via a catheter. This is necessary for patients who have a non functioning or inadequate gastrointestinal tract and may be required for short or long term feeding. Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is an established method of treating patients with chronic intestinal failure.
The Scottish Home Parenteral Nutrition Managed Clinical Network has been established in line with recommendations of the Acute Services Review of the NHS in Scotland. Networks offer the best method of delivering high quality service making optimal use of available resources.
A Managed Clinical Network removes the traditional barriers between primary, secondary and tertiary care, and is an effective method of working with the extension of traditional staff roles. Multi-professional working is therefore fundamental to the success of clinical networking and the network includes representation from the Patients on Intravenous and Nasogastric Therapy (PINNT). With good management HPN provides a reasonable quality of life for approximately 75 patients who would require this treatment in Scotland per year. It is not the intention to centralise care but to allow treatment to be delivered in the nearest hospital via adoption of national standards, guidelines and protocols.

Organisation
A service agreement exists between NHS Tayside and the National Services Division. Dr. Alastair McKinley, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Aberdeen is the lead clinician. It is anticipated that the role of lead clinician will rotate every few years. Janet Baxter is the network coordinator based at Ninewells Hospital. Each centre managing patients with HPN is expected to have at least a consultant clinician, pharmacist, nurse and dietitian in their nutrition team.

Network
Contact:

Janet Baxter, MCN Manager

janetbaxter@nhs.net , tel. 01382 496558

Website
Address:

www.shpnmcn.scot.nhs.uk