The stoma care nursing service is designed to meet the needs of people who are undergoing bowel surgery which has resulted in a stoma and long term support / advice as needed.
We aim to support in the following ways:
- Giving pre-operative information regarding surgery and stoma formation
- Stoma siting
- Enhanced recovery
- Stoma siting
- Teaching practical stoma care
- Supporting patient and carers in adjusting to life with a stoma
- Ongoing telephone support and clinic reviews.
Stoma and pouch nurses
The Stoma team are dedicated to providing high quality, expert care to new and established stoma and ileo-anal pouch patients. Our care ranges from across neonatal, paediatrics and adult patients within both inpatient and outpatient settings.
We see patients requiring
- Stoma formation
- Reconstructive bowel surgery
- Management of enterocutaneous fistulae (abnormal connections between the intestine and the surface of the skin)
- Ileo-anal pouch surgery
- Ace procedure
We are actively involved, as part of the multidisciplinary team, in the Cambridge Centre for Intestinal Rehabilitation and Transplant (CamCIRT), providing our skill and expertise to this group of complex patients.
The aim of the nursing service
The nursing service provides an informative and supportive service to all our patients with either a stoma, enterocutaneous fistula or internal pouch. This will begin when you meet your specialist nurse, usually before surgery. You will be given information regarding your surgery and the ideal site for your stoma will be selected. On admission to the hospital, your specialist nurse will talk to you about whether you have understood this information and discuss any questions or anxieties you may have.
After your operation you will be shown how to care for your stoma, including how to empty and change the appliance independently. You will be given information regarding your diet, ongoing supplies, returning to work, common problems and much more.
If you are a local patient, you will be followed up in the stoma clinic two weeks after you are discharged. If you live outside the area then you will be referred to a stoma care nurse based in your area, who will provide ongoing support.
Stoma care clinics
The stoma care clinics are for patients to attend for routine check-ups, if problems occur or if further information is required. These appointments can be face to face or as a telephone clinic appointment.
The clinics are for booked appointments only and these can be arranged by contacting the stoma department or referral by your GP.
The stoma nurse specialists are also available to help with:
- Stoma concerns
- Review of stoma management
- New products / product usage review
- Information regarding stoma formation
- Information on local and national support groups.
Stoma clinics are held at Addenbrooke's hospital on Tuesdays and Thursday and monthly at Ely, Princess of Wales hospital. Pouch clinics are monthly and carried out as a telephone appointment.
Stoma care team
Lead clinical nurse specialist
- Anna Brewer
Clinical nurses specialists
- Vanessa Coleman
- Sophie Munns
- Abeshin Acar
Support nurse
- Nancy Mukumbira
- Elisabeth Karampasidi
Assistant practitioner
- Amanda Baker
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