Stoma Care

Patients coming for surgery, which may result in the formation of a stoma, are seen at pre-admission clinic, the stoma care clinic or sometimes at home. We provide our patients with information leaflets, samples of appropriate appliances, and a training stoma device.

The importance of correct positioning of the stoma will be discussed and demonstrated during the pre-admission appointment.

Contact details and, where possible, a named stoma nurse will be provided.

Our stoma nurses are available Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Messages left after 15:00 may not be dealt with till the next day.

The stoma nurses provide assessment and treatment of stoma-related problems.

They will provide teaching and support on stoma care to patients and carers which include:

• Changing the stoma pouch
• How to maintain healthy skin
• Dietary issues
• Body image

Supporting carers as required.

All necessary stoma equipment will be provided whilst patients are in hospital.

Patients are provided with a pack containing:

• Pouches
• Disposal bags
• Dry wipes
• Scissors
• Skin protection wipes and adhesive remover if necessary

All patients are provided with:

• Two weeks supply of pouches
• Information on how to contact the department
• Information leaflets on support groups/dietary information/clinic times/information on caring for their stoma
• Information on how to obtain more stoma pouches either from their GP/local pharmacy or a dispensing contractor
• Date of first telephone contact will be arranged.

After discharge from hospital, we will:

• Telephone our contact within one week of discharge
• Make a home visit or clinic appointment arrangement for one week post discharge
• Attendance to the patient’s nearest stoma care clinic will be arranged when appropriate for regular review.

After initial post-discharge care, patients can attend a clinic or request a home visit (restrictions apply on home visit availability) if they experience any problems or have any queries.

Our stoma care nurses may be contacted by telephone to discuss any problems which do not require an appointment, for example any dietary queries or prescription problems. Healthcare professionals also have the option of contacting the stoma care nurse by email or bleep.

Please telephone us to make an appointment for any of our clinics.

Royal Cornwall Hospital

2nd Floor, Tower Block, Treliske, Truro TR1 3LQ
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 13:00-16:00

West Cornwall Hospital

Outpatients Department, Penzance, TR18 2PF
1st & 3rd Mondays of the month, 9:00 – 12:30

St Austell Community Hospital

Outpatients Department, Porthpean Road, St Austell, PL26 6AA
2nd & 4th Monday each month, 09:00 – 12:30

Bodmin Community Hospital

Outpatients Department, Boundary Road, Bodmin, PL31 2QT
2nd & 4th Tuesday each month, 09:00 – 12:30

Camborne & Redruth Community Hospital

Outpatients Department, Barncoose Terrace, Redruth, TR15 3ER
1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month, 13:45 – 16:45

• The Colostomy Association
• The Ileostomy Association
• Urostomy Association
• Beating Bowel Cancer
• Crohn’s and Colitis UK
• Coloplast Charter
• Salts Medilink
• Cornwall Ostomy Support Group