Stoma care specialised nursing service
What is the stoma care nursing service?
The stoma care nursing service prepares you and your relatives to adjust to life, both physically and psychologically when you require a stoma formation.
The service is here to provide you and your family with information, advice and support from the moment you are told you require a stoma. We are here to help throughout treatment, before and after surgery and in the community, following discharge from hospital.
The nurse lead service works closely with your hospital doctors / GP and provides you and your family with a point of contact if you have any questions or concerns about your stoma.
This service is available for adults with any type of stoma (bowel or urinary). We see patients who are new to the service, established patients or those who have moved into the area and would like a review.
How do I get access to the service?
We are happy for you to refer yourself to the service: we also receive referrals from relatives, nurses, GP’s, consultants and any other health professional.
The easiest way is for you to call us, however we are also happy if you prefer to email us or write a letter.
Where can you see us?
- Outpatients department
- While in hospital both before and after surgery
- At home following discharge
What do we offer?
- Stoma care advice, information and support for you, your relatives and carers
- Information and advice on appropriate stoma care products and services
- Information and advice to assist prevention of hernia formation
- Hernia management and abdominal support garment fittings
- Annual stoma review is important so we will contact you for a stoma review and update
We will:
- See you before your operation to offer information and mark the most appropriate site for your stoma—unless the surgery is carried out as an emergency.
- See you on the ward during your hospital stay to teach you how to manage your stoma, answer questions, offer support and advice. When we are happy that you are competent in managing your stoma and that your confidence has improved we will prepare you for discharge home.
- Support you going home following stoma formation as it can be a difficult time as there are many things to learn and adjust to.
- Supply you with at least a 14 day supply of the stoma products you are using—obtaining further supplies will be discussed in more detail at future appointments.
- Give you a follow up appointment for a home visit within a week of discharge from hospital.
- Give you information regarding your follow-up care.
- Give you contact telephone numbers for the colorectal/stoma care department.
- Give you written information to support any spoken information you have been given.
- Offer you impartial advice relating to appliance choice.
- Provide symptom relief advice.
Prescriptions
If your stoma was formed because of a cancer diagnosis or you stoma is permanent your prescriptions will be free. You will need to request a prescription exemption certificate from the stoma care team or your GP. If you pay for your prescriptions you may find it advisable to buy a pre-paid prescription certificate—please ask your surgery for a pre-payment certificate application form (FP95).