Hot Off The Press - Updates from our latest E-Update August

The Australasian Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition: Consensus statements on refeeding syndrome

This consensus statement is now even easier to access! It can now be found on the AuSPEN website, in the ‘AuSPEN Resources’ tab here.

Augmented Enteral Protein During Critical Illness: The TARGET Protein Randomized Clinical Trial

This paper aimed to determine whether augmenting enteral protein increases days alive and free from hospitalisation. It was also co-led by two Australian ICU dietitians and is the largest clinical trial to date investigating the impact of increased protein intake through enteral nutrition on critically ill patients. See the full article and results here.

The effects of Mediterranean diet with and without exercise on body composition in adults with chronic disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

This systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials aimed to explore the effects of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), with and without exercise. This study, led by an Australia research team, and found favourable changes in body composition parameters following MedDiet interventions. See the full article and results here.

Development of dietetics staffing requirements for adult intestinal failure services using a best-practice model

This Australian paper proposes a methodology for determining dietetic staffing levels for adults living with chronic intestinal failure. It is the first study to utilise a bottom-up staffing framework to estimate dietetic staffing levels allowing patients access to best-practice care. See the full article and results here.

AuSPEN Member Spotlight – Celebrating Tanya Collins

Tanya is a Senior Paediatric Gastroenterology specialist Dietitian working at Perth Children’s hospital. She is currently in a dual role as senior paediatric gastro dietitian and dietetic Coordinator, where she manages a team of fabulous paediatric dietitians.  Tanya’s passion lies in paediatrics, inspired by the resilience of children, and in gastroenterology, due to its deep connection with dietetics at every level.  In addition to her clinical role, Tanya is the co-chair of the Paediatric subcommittee with Julia Fox. In this role Tanya is looking forward to co-leading this enthusiastic and accomplished team of clinicians

Tanya over the years has done a lot of work with AuSPEN, something that she is particularly proud of, she loves working with other amazing clinician’s in the paediatric committee and sub-committees to develop evidence-based guidelines across Australia and New Zealand. She reports being constantly amazed by the volume of high quality work the paediatric sub-committees accomplish and the selfless collegial nature of all involved.

Tanya is currently involved in several exciting projects with AuSPEN Paediatric sub committees, including a multi-site prospective study on concomitant foods in EEN and the impact on QOL of patients. Additionally, she is working on the Liver guideline sub committee, where the guideline and write up are in the final stages, Tanya is excited to have the review published to assist clinicians working with these patients to provide up to date evidence based care. Tanya is also on the Vitamins in Paediatric Parenteral Nutrition subcommittee whose aim is to undertake a literature review and put together recommendations based on evidence and consensus opinion. Tanya is part of the HPN registry, where she is very excited be part of a huge piece of work setting up a national database to collect service level, patient and quality of life data for both adults and children receiving home parenteral nutrition. The database will provide critical data on care provision and allow benchmarking within and beyond Australia.
 
When asked about her advice to early career professionals; she explained it was important to not get dissuaded by overwhelm or imposter syndrome, “just put your hand up to get started, you will never be disappointed and might be surprised by how it snowballs”

Shaping the Future of Pancreatic Care – Pancreas Summit 2025

Join us at Pancreas Summit 2025, Australia’s premier multidisciplinary forum on pancreatic disease, nutrition, and research — 19–21 September 2025 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

 

Designed for clinicians, dietitians, nutritionists, researchers, and allied health professionals, the program features:

• Dedicated dietitian & nutrition sessions across all days

• Supportive care and nutrition in pancreatic disease

• Pancreatitis and pain management

• Pancreatic cancer – from patient perspectives to palliative care

• Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (P-NET) combined clinical-dietitian sessions

• Fatty pancreas & Type 3c diabetes

✨ View the full Program at a Glance

🔗 Register today

 We look forward to welcoming your members to Melbourne!

Join us for AuSPEN 2025!

We are excited to invite you to the AuSPEN 2025 Conference: Where Survival Meets Nutrition, taking place at The Hilton Sydney from 6th to 8th November 2025. Our team is diligently preparing an event full of adventure and valuable experiences. This is your official reminder to submit your leave and join us for an unforgettable experience.

Registration is NOW OPEN: Click here

At AuSPEN 2025, you will have the opportunity to engage with leading professionals in nutrition and survival, participate in innovative sessions, and build lasting relationships with peers and industry leaders. Highlights include interactive workshops, panel discussions, an exhibition hall showcasing the latest products and services, and social events that promise fun and learning.

Visit our 2025 AuSPEN Event Website for more details!

Warm regards,

The AuSPEN 2025 Organizing Committee

Huge Success! - AuSPEN 2024

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Conference in Brisbane from November 14th to 16th. It was a great success, and the feedback has been very positive.

Over the three days of conferencing, more than 250 delegates checked in to learn everything Clinical Nutrition. Dr Carla Prado was an absolute standout, and we’re so glad she was able to come to the Land Down Under. Dr Dinesh Palipana spoke about his life and was an inspiration to all in the room. The conference also covered how the future may look with AI in the space.

The AuSPEN Networking Event was a hit! The Many Faces of Clinical Nutrition were out in full force at the Green House in Howard Smith Wharves. However, you may not have recognised them through their masquerade masks.

Hot Off the Press: Updates from our latest e-newsletter

Funding and resource availability for home parenteral nutrition in Australia: A national cross-sectional survey. Wong D, Osland E, Carey S. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2024 Jun 8.

This study aimed to quantify the caseload, staffing, and capacity of existing HPN centers nationally, and highlights key shortfalls in funding for home parenteral nutrition services throughout Australia. 

Mid Upper Arm Circumference in the Paediatric Clinical Setting: An AuSPEN Consensus Statement and Toolkit. June 2024 

Multidisciplinary development of a series of clinical consensus statements using the Delphi process for the role of mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) in the Australian and New Zealand paediatric clinical setting.

Join us - Membership Update: 2024 Retired Membership

The AuSPEN Council have introduced a new membership option for retired Members.

AuSPEN retired membership is $100 per year
For members who are now retired from the industry.
(Membership will allow access to both AuSPEN members area & ESPEN members area from 1st January through to 31st December)

To become a member, click here

Membership Benefits include:

  • Access to the AuSPEN & AuSPEN-endorsed Clinical Practice Guidelines on a variety of enteral and parenteral
    nutrition topics for both adults and paediatrics

  • Invitation to the annual AuSPEN Scientific Meeting

  • Reduced Scientific Meeting registration rate

  • Conference grants

  • Research grants for novice and more experienced researchers

  • AuSPEN Scientific Meeting research prizes

  • Australasian research meetings and initiatives

  • Access to resources and optimal care pathways, for example, the Exclusive Enteral Nutrition IBD Toolkit and the Paediatric Blended Tube Feeds Resource 'The A-Z Toolkit' and 'Recipe Builder’