Nasogastric Securement – Exploring Patient and Clinical Challenges

Sharlene qualified as a nurse in 2001, she has worked in a variety of different specialities. These include critical care, oncology and cancer rehabilitation. During this period, she completed a postgraduate diploma and BSc (hons) in cancer care. In 2011 she became a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Nutrition, covering both enteral and parenteral nutrition. Her role has evolved, and she is now the Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist for Nutrition.

She has been Treasurer for the NNNG since 2020. In 2023, she completed an MSc in Clinical Leadership, joined the editorial board of the British Journal of Nursing Nutrition Supplements, and was a finalist for a Nursing Times Award.

Natalie trained at De Montfort University and after qualifying in 2001 returned home to Devon where she began her career as a staff nurse on a colorectal surgical ward. Natalie has experience as a prison nurse as well as working for Fresenius Kabi and Calea as a home nutrition nurse. This was where Natalie really found her passion for nutrition support. The role, although geographically challenging, was rewarding as Natalie experienced the difference she was able to make by supporting people at home. A secondment opportunity soon arose to work with the nutrition support team at the prestigious St Marks in Harrow in which Calea and Fresenius Kabi released Natalie for nearly 3 years to continue to build her portfolio of experience in caring for some of the most complex patients requiring nutritional care.

In order to best support her family, Natalie and her husband decided to move up north and Natalie began a substantive post at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust. Natalie’s commitment to improve nutrition with the support of senior nursing leadership has started to see the profile of the service gain real momentum. Natalie was nominated for a British Journal of Nursing; Nutrition Nurse of the Year award in 2017 and was appointed to the NNNG committee, which she describes as a real opportunity to continue her development both locally and nationally.

Registered Nurse for 11 years with speciality in Gastroenterology.

Currently leading the Nursing Enteral Nutrition Service at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust as Clinical Nurse Specialist- Enteral Nutrition (PEG and NG), since 2021.

Publication: Developing a Skin care Pathway British Journal of Community Nursing, June 2022
Excellence Recognition: Service Improvement and Innovation category, 2023

Areas of interest:
Management of Gastrostomy Complications (Skin Care)
Nasogastric tube management: Safe community discharge and Positive patient experience

Previous role as Clinical Nurse Specialist -Intestinal Failure and Clinical Nutrition (Enteral/Parenteral) Cambridge University Hospitals- Addenbrookes from 2017-2021.

Nominated, International Nurse of the Year, 2019

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