Gastrostomy Service

Welcome to the homepage of the Gastrostomy Service at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).

The Gastrostomy Service at GOSH responsible for the care of children and young people with a gastrostomy.

The Gastrostomy Service at GOSH is a nurse-led service bringing together expertise in all forms of enteral feeding (gastrostomy and gastrojejunostomy feeding). In addition to preparation before the insertion procedure, the team liaise with community teams to ensure continuity of care once a child is discharged from GOSH. On average, around 250 children and young people require insertion of a gastrostomy or gastrojejunostomy feeding device each year. 

A gastrostomy is a surgical opening through the abdomen into the stomach. A feeding device is inserted through this opening. There are several methods of inserting a gastrostomy feeding device used at GOSH: endoscopically, radiologically and surgically. The method chosen insert a gastrostomy device depends on many factors, including your child’s weight, medical condition, and previous or planned abdominal surgery. For more information, please see our  booklet.

A gastrojejunostomy is usually suggested after gastrostomy feeding has been unsuccessful. Some children cannot tolerate feeding directly into the stomach, so a gastrojejunostomy device can be helpful as it bypasses the stomach. A gastrojejunostomy device can be helpful for people with gastric motility problems, where food does not pass through the stomach to the intestines as it should. Children with gastro-oesophageal reflux may benefit from gastrojejunostomy feeding as the feed is delivered directly to the jejunum rather than the stomach. This stops stomach contents travelling back (reflux) up the oesophagus (food pipe), causing pain and potentially chest infection if the liquid is breathed into the lungs (aspiration).

Nicola Greenwood
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Gastrostomy and stoma care)

Monika Morova
Clinical Nurse Specialist (stoma care)

Rory Philbin
Clinical Nurse Specialist (gastrostomy care)

Children and young people who have a gastrostomy or gastrojejunostomy can be nursed on any ward at GOSH.

Pre-admission clinics

For planned admissions, some services carry out pre-admission clinics. This is an outpatient appointment where you will be able to discuss your child’s planned procedure with the team before coming in to hospital for your admission. Your child may also have various tests and investigations carried out during this appointment. This can avoid delays on the day of the procedure.

The appointment can also be useful if your child is apprehensive about any aspect of the hospital stay. Our play specialists can prepare your child, as can other members of the team. We can also start to make plans for after the operation, for instance, if you need any equipment or supplies, these can be arranged beforehand.

If you are not scheduled for a pre-admission appointment, but would like to meet the team or discuss your child’s procedure, please contact the Gastrostomy Service.

Telephone 020 7405 9200 extension 5695 or bleep 0321