21 July, 2026
New Patient-Led Head and Neck Cancer Support Group Launches for People Using Home Enteral Feeding
Our Tubers: Connecting, Supporting and Empowering People Living with Home Enteral Feeding
A new patient-led Head and Neck Cancer support group for people using home enteral feeding is set to launch at St James's Hospital, providing a dedicated space for connection, shared experiences and peer support.
Home Enteral Feeding is a way of providing all the food and fluids a person needs through a feeding tube at home when they cannot eat or drink normally, but their stomach and digestive system still work. Developed by the Clinical Nutrition Head and Neck Service in partnership with head and neck cancer survivors, Our Tubers has been co-designed by patients who understand first-hand the challenges of living with home enteral feeding. From choosing the group's name to shaping its purpose and reviewing promotional materials, patients have played a central role in creating a service that reflects the needs of the community it aims to support.
While a number of excellent support groups exist for people affected by head and neck cancer, there are currently very few opportunities in Ireland for individuals and families to connect specifically around the practical and emotional aspects of home enteral feeding. Our Tubers aims to fill that gap by bringing people together in a welcoming and supportive environment.
The group is open to St James’s Hospital head and neck cancer patients using home enteral feeding, as well as their families and carers. Through regular meetings, participants will have the opportunity to build connections, share experiences, ask questions and learn from others who understand the realities of day-to-day life with enteral feeding.
What Our Tubers Offers:
Connect
Meet and connect with people who share similar experiences and understand the challenges of home enteral feeding
Share
Exchange practical tips, advice and personal experiences in a supportive setting.
Support
Ask questions, gain reassurance and feel heard by others who have faced similar challenges.
Empower
Build confidence, knowledge and self-management skills through shared learning and peer support
You bring your experience. We'll bring the support.
A Collaborative Approach
The development of Our Tubers reflects the importance of partnering with patients in the design and delivery of healthcare services. By working closely with head and neck cancer survivors, the Clinical Nutrition Head and Neck Service has created a support group shaped by lived experience and focused on what matters most to patients and families.
The group will launch at the end of July to coincide World Head and Neck Cancer Day, representing an important milestone in supporting people living with the long-term effects of cancer treatment and home enteral feeding.
Find Out More
For further information about Our Tubers, please contact: clinicalnutritionsec@stjames.ie