A new specialist centre has opened at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital to provide integrated care for patients in the North East and Cumbria who have severe intestinal failure, which means their bowel or gut cannot work properly.
As just 1 of 12 dedicated centres in England, the new 15-bed unit will coordinate all aspects of care and treatment into one location.
Intestinal failure happens when the gut cannot absorb enough nutrients, water or electrolytes from food. This is often caused by major bowel surgery, severe injury, inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn’s disease or a bowel defect someone is born with.
Intestinal failure can cause dehydration and malnourishment so requires care from specialist teams to provide essential hydration and nutrients to aid recovery.
Some types of intestinal failure are self-limiting, meaning a patient can recover over time, and others require ongoing management and support to deliver the nutrients they need to survive, either on a long-term or permanent basis.
Known as ‘parenteral nutrition’ (PN) this involves intravenous delivery of essential nutrients – including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals – directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system.
Most patients who require long-term parenteral nutrition are able to be trained in how to deliver their own nutrition intravenously, allowing them to be discharged home. But this is only possible if patients can do this safely following strict protocols.
Newcastle Hospitals’ intestinal failure service has grown significantly over the years to meet the needs of this group of patients. The service currently supports over 170 patients at home and last year managed 75 new referrals.
Dr Chris Mountford, consultant gastroenterologist and service lead for intestinal failure and rehabilitation, said: “We are delighted to open our new specialist unit, which will greatly enhance the care we offer to patients with this rare condition from across the North East and Cumbria.
“We have seen an increase in both the number and complexity of patients with intestinal failure, who require the expertise of multiple different healthcare professionals to support their recovery and rehabilitation.
“Having a dedicated specialist unit means we can provide the highest standards of care, improve patient outcomes, and create a better overall experience.”
Newcastle’s severe intestinal failure unit will be the only centre of its kind in the region, with the nearest alternative located in Leeds.
