St Andrew's Hospital

Stomal Therapy

Stomal Therapy Service

St Andrew’s Hospital offers a comprehensive stomal therapy service for individuals who are anticipating, or have had surgery resulting in abdominal stoma.

This service is provided by nurses specialising in stoma care and their aim is to support the patient and family, before and after surgery, to enable the patient to participate in a full and active family, social and business life.

Outpatient Service

Outpatient appointments can be made by direct contact with the Hospital. No medical referral is required.

Consultation

In most cases your doctor will refer you to the Stomal Therapy Clinic before your admission to hospital. When this is not possible a Stomal Therapy nurse will visit you in hospital prior to surgery.

Reimbursement of fees

Insured patients should contact their Health Fund to ascertain benefit levels. Uninsured patients should enquire about the fees when making an appointment.


If you need to be admitted

A visit to the Stomal Therapy Clinic will provide you with:
• information and counselling
• advice about stomal appliances
• an appropriate position for your stoma

After surgery

A Stomal Therapy nurse will visit you regularly while you are in hospital to:
• teach you to manage your stoma
• ensure you have a suitable, comfortable stomal appliance fitted
• arrange the future supply of stomal appliances
• organise follow up care for when you leave
hospital

Follow up care

You will be given an appointment to attend the Stomal Therapy Clinic after you leave hospital for:

• assistance with your stoma and skin care
• evaluation of your stomal appliance
• counselling and problem solving

Should you experience any difficulties once you return home you are most welcome to consult the Stomal Therapy Clinic nurse by telephone and/or reschedule your appointment.