The History of AuSPEN

AuSPEN is the oldest parenteral nutrition society in the world. The Australasian Society for Parenteral Nutrition (AuSPN) was founded in 1973 in Melbourne. It was initially set up by surgeons, intensivists, physicians, chemical pathologists, microbiologists  and pharmacists. Professor Bob McMahon, a paediatric surgeon from Queen Victoria Hospital in Melbourne, was the first AuSPN  President

In 1980 AuSPN expanded its society name to include enteral nutrition and became The Australasian Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (AuSPEN). AuSPEN also broadened the scope of its membership to include New Zealand. At this time, the main focus of the Society was the nutrition care of inpatients, however as outpatient needs have grown, the focus of the Society has shifted to encompass both acute and outpatient care.

Since the 1980s AuSPEN has continued to expand and membership has increased exponentially. AuSPEN’s core membership includes many different health professionals including Gastroenterologists, Surgeons, Intensivists, Dietitians, Pharmacists, Nurses, Researchers with a clinical nutrition focus, and students. AuSPEN’s current president is Dr Sharon Carey, Head of Dietetics at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney

Today’s purpose of AuSPEN remains to be the leading professional society for a multidisciplinary approach to clinical nutrition, promoting high standards in the practice of parenteral and enteral nutrition for both inpatients and outpatients.