Stoma Care Resources

The world of stoma care can be a complex one. Thousands of products are available on Drug Tariff in the UK, which provides the arsenal for stoma care nurses to successfully deliver care and solutions. Some of these products may be to enhance the effectiveness of the appliance used, and each appliance has a variety of characteristics that may dictate the suitability of use for each individual’s personal condition.

At Coloplast, we know the formation of a stoma is a life-saving procedure for many, but it can also pose considerable challenges for individuals and takes time to adapt (Di Gesaro, 2016). This is why it is essential for everyone with a stoma to have equitable access to high quality care and specialist advice (Osborne et al, 2022).

There are over 200,000 people in the UK with a stoma and it is known that skin complications are common. Therefore, it is likely that nurses will encounter patients in the community with peristomal skin complications. Commonly, problems occur due to appliance leakage which might be because of weight change for example. Leaks might be
caused by uneven skin surface, with a skin dip or crease, which means that the stoma appliance cannot adhere adequately to the abdominal 

Community nurses are frequently involved in the care of patients after they are discharged from hospital, including many who have undergone stoma-forming surgery. There is evidence that it takes some time to adjust to life with a stoma, with much of this adjustment occurring in the first three months following surgery. During this period, nurses can use their skills to resolve any
problems that might occur, helping patients to adapt and improve their quality of life. If community nurses cannot resolve any issues patients may have with their stomas, referral to a specialist such as the local stoma specialist nurse, might be necessary.

Jennie Burch, Enhanced Recovery Nurse, St Marks Hospital, Surgery, Harrow, Middlesex

Close attention is being paid to the role the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) plays in facilitating patient adjustment and adaptation to life in the weeks, months and years after treatment for a colorectal cancer and stoma formation. Much of the CNS work is performed in the outpatient setting, in the community or on the telephone, placing the colorectal CNS in a prime position to co-ordinate the complex care needs of individuals who have undergone surgery and formation of a faecal stoma. In this article, the author examines the combined role of the colorectal/stoma CNS in co-ordinating the complex care needs of the ostomy patient with a colorectal cancer diagnosis by exploring the repertoire of skills and expertise that comes into play in the follow up care of ostomy cancer patients.

Kathryn Foskett RN BSc (Hons) GI Nursing. Senior Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist. The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Article accepted for publication: August 2012

Linda Readding briefly describes the different types of stoma that may be involved in the management of a patient with colorectal cancer.

Sharon Fillingham discusses the specific care required by urostomates in the community.

Linda Readding discusses the types of stoma appliances available to patients and looks at the necessity for thorough assessment of a patient's needs before prescribing products.
Linda Readding RGN, Dip DN, DN Cert, BSc (Hons), Cert HE ENB216 is a Clinical Nurse Specialist Stoma Care, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust, West Yorkshire.
Article accepted for publication September 2001

In her second article Lyn Kirkwood gives an overview of post operative care after bowel surgery and discusses the different types of appliance that are available.
Lyn Kirkwood RGN is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Stoma Continence & Urology, Weston Area Health Trust, Weston-super-Mare.
Article accepted for publication: August 2005

Fiona Wondergem gives some practical advice for community nurses caring for people with a stoma
Fiona Wondergem BSc (Hons) PG Dip Health Visiting, RGN, RSCN, is a Freelance Health Writer, West Yorkshire
Article accepted for publication: December 2006