Stoma Care Nurses in The UK
What Is A Stoma Nurse?
A Stoma Nurse, often referred to as a Stoma Care Nurse Specialist or SCNS, plays a vital role in the care of a stoma patient. Their primary role and responsibility is to the patient under their care, guiding, helping and informing to help you live the life you want to lead.
It is estimated there are over 150,000 people in the UK living with a stoma, and with approximately 20,000 stoma surgeries every single year (around half of which result in a permanent stoma) the role of a stoma nurse is vital to many.
Regardless of the type of stoma you have (Ileostomy, Colostomy, or Urostomy), your Stoma Care Nurse will be able to give you accurate and up-to-date information designed to help at every stage of your stoma journey – from pre-surgery through recovery and living your everyday life.
Speaking To A Stoma Nurse Near Me
In a digital age some people can question is it vital to have a stoma nurse that is located near you? While video calling can be a suitable option in many situations, it’s still nice to know that there is someone who you can go and visit and speak to face to face. Before you have your stoma surgery you are likely to be referred to a stoma nurse at your local hospital (either through the NHS or privately depending on which route you take) who will be available via appointment to speak to you about what you can expect and answer any questions that you may have.
If for whatever reason you are unable to access a stoma nurse via your hospital then many home delivery services provide stoma nurse assistance via the phone. If you are unsure if your provider offers this service then give them a call and find out if it is something that you can arrange. It may not necessarily result in getting a face-to-face with a stoma nurse near you but they should be able to assist and hopefully answer any questions you may have. You can check out our providers’ page if you’d like more information and to contact different home delivery providers.
When Should I Be Speaking To My Stoma Nurse?
Your Stoma Nurse is there to help you emotionally navigate any changes in your body or if you have questions regarding your stoma care. If you feel that your existing course of treatment isn’t right for you, or there have been changes in your stoma or body shape that means your bag no longer fits and operates as it should then you would be best advised to discuss the situation with your stoma nurse.
Home Delivery providers can help with various samples of different products, don’t feel that you are tied into having one particular brand of product if it is no longer doing the job you need it to; instead, speak to your provider and see if they can recommend a different type. Your Stoma Care Nurse will need to sign off any permanent changes to your prescription, but there’s no harm in trying different options before making a change. You can check out our providers’ page if you’d like more information and contact different home delivery providers.
If you are looking for help and support on your stoma journey that isn’t specifically related to your treatment or a medical question then you may find answers within the stoma community themselves. There are plenty of support groups in local areas as well as online groups that can help and guide. Colostomy UK is a registered charity within the UK which has a great deal of information about support groups, you can visit their website by clicking the link here.
Please note: The information throughout these pages should be used as a guide only. Please consult your GP or medical professional for further information about your condition.
