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Feeding Tube - aid or appliance for therapy?
Does anyone have any views on whether a feeding tube which is connected overnight constitutes and aid or appliance in relation to activity 3b? The PIP assessor and DM take the view it is an aid to nutrition 2c, and cannot be treated as an aid to managing therapy also. The client has gastroparesis as a complication of type 1 diabetes and cannot feed orally. I think it can be treated as both.
I would read things completely differently to be honest.
A feeding tube, if it meets the prescribed definition, would constitute taking nutrition via a theraputic source - 2c.
3b is met only if your client requires an aid or appliance to manage medication. I don’t think that the feeding tube is being used to deliver medication - its being used to deliver nutrition.
If your client needs assistance to manage the feeding tube then that brings him within 2e and arguably 3c/3d.
I think they’re right as it is to take nutrition. However, it’s not unheard of for medication to be taken in this way also so in such a case I’d argue. You could argue that food is medication for a diabetic I suppose but can’t see it working