Stock, Ordering & Storage

Leaving hospital with tube feeding or taking home the one you care for, can be a time of mixed emotions. Leaving the hospital might feel like you're leaving round-the-clock care and support. But even at home there is plenty of long-term care and support for you or the one you care for. When you or the one you care for leaves the hospital you will be supported by a tube feeding provider. They will support both adults and children who are tube fed at home.

Most tube feeding companies provide:

• Delivery of tube feeds, oral nutritional supplements, feeding pumps and, feeding equipment directly to homes
  
• A dedicated team of staff who carry monthly support calls to you and organise the delivery of supplies
• Training, information and support to enable people to tube feed independently at home
• A registered nursing service
• An out-of-hours advice line, which offers support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 The tube feeding provider will contact you within the first few days after you leave hospital. This first call is to introduce themselves and arrange your first delivery.

The tube feeding provider will deliver to your home each month. They will contact you monthly to check what you need and arrange a delivery for the coming month. There are two main ways they may manage this process, by phone or using an online ordering system (if applicable). Some tube feeding providers can also arrange your next delivery by email, text or through a translation service if needed. You can also contact the tube feeding provider for support with:

• Tube feed or equipment questions
  
• Delivery questions
• Registering a change of address or other details
• Arranging alternative delivery arrangements.

It is important to store the tube feed in a way that keeps it at its very best. It should be stored in a cool, dry place (5-25ºC), away from direct sunlight and somewhere that it will not freeze. Once you open the tube feed it is advised that you handle it in a sterile way. Always check the best before date and shake the bottle/pack before opening. Rotating the feed and using the oldest first can help to reduce the risk of it going out of date. The tube feeding provider delivery driver may be able to help to do this for you.

Count the feed and equipment supplies each month. When the tube feeding provider contacts you to arrange the next delivery, let them know how many of each item you have. They will work out how much is needed for the next month so you don't end up over stocked.