Stoma Care Service
The Northwick Park and St Mark’s Stoma Care Service
The overall aim of the stoma care service is to provide an informative and supportive service to our patients. This will commence when you meet your stoma care nurse, usually prior to surgery. You will be given information and booklets regarding stomas and stoma surgery. On admission to hospital your stoma care nurse will reinforce this information and discuss any concerns and anxieties you may have.
Following your operation, you will be shown how to care for your stoma. This involves learning to empty and change the stoma appliance independently. Information regarding your diet, ongoing supplies, returning to work, common problems and much more will also be given.
If you are a local patient then you will be followed up in the stoma clinic two weeks after discharge. 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.
Our services also include educating other health care professionals, such as ward nurses and district nurses which leads to patients with stomas receiving continuous care from all. Other areas that we are involved in are research and development of new appliances, assisting patients support groups and presenting at national and international conferences.
The Northwick Park and St. Mark’s Stoma Care Clinic
The Northwick Park Hospital and St. Mark’s Stoma Care clinics are for patients to attend for routine checkups, if problems occur or if further information is required. These are run on alternative Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons between 1.30pm and 3.30pm and Thursday mornings between 10am and 12.30pm. All local patients will receive a follow up appointment with a stoma nurse via the post for a two week follow-up after discharge. This appointment is part of your ongoing care and treatment and it is expected that you will attend.
The clinic is appointment based only and appointments can be made by contacting the department directly on 020 8235 4110. You may get an answering machine when you call, if so, please leave a message along with a contact number. Also referrals can be made via your G.P.
What our outpatient clinic as to offer
• Ongoing support to all ostomists
• Practical help and advice
• Colostomy irrigation information, advise and teaching
• Support garment measuring service
• Up to date information
• Psychological and sexual advice
• Support group information and networking
Transport
If you require transport for the stoma outpatient clinic, you will need to contact your G.P., who will be able to provide this for your initial session. In future, if you require transport and meet the criteria, a voluntary service may be provided. There may be a small charge for this if you do not live within the voluntary perimeters.
Where to find us
St Mark’s Entrance:
On entering St Mark’s Hospital, level 3, turn left and walk past reception. Go through the double doors and The St. Mark’s Tea Bar will be in front of you. Turn right and you can either take the stairs or the lift to level 4. If you take the stairs, when you are on level 4 you will need to turn right, if via the lift left and go through the double doors in front of you, and turn left. In front will be a sign above the doors ‘Intestinal Imaging Centre. Diagnostic Radiology. Physiology. Pouch Team/Stoma Care. Go to reception and announce yourself and the stoma nurse will be informed that you have arrived.
Northwick Park Entrance:
Once you arrive at the main entrance of Northwick Park, follow the signs for St Mark’s Hospital. There is a link corridor between Northwick Park Hospital and St Mark’s Hospital on level 4. Follow the link corridor to the end and on the left will be the Intestinal Imaging Centre. Diagnostic Radiology. Physiology. Pouch Team/Stoma Care. Go to reception and announce yourself and the stoma nurse will be informed that you have arrived.
