Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Introduction
This page has been produced to provide vital information regarding your stoma care follow-up before being discharged.
Before discharge home you will meet your Stoma Care Team who will prepare you for discharge with the relevant information and stoma supplies. You will most likely have your first follow-up appointment with the team arranged.
Our contact details should you need to get in touch with any questions or queries are as follows.
Frimley Park Team: 03006136301 / fhft.stomacareteam@nhs.net
Wexham Park Team: 03006153734 / fhft.
Please ensure you are contacting the team your care is under. Please leave a message on our answerphone if we are not in the office and we will aim to get back to you as soon as we can.
Be aware we do not work weekends or on bank holidays.
Further discharge support contact details:
The FHFT GP Centre website: https://
Follow-up care
When you are discharged home, you will be given an appointment for your first follow-up within two weeks of going home.
This appointment will review how you have been managing; answer any questions you may have and examine your stoma. Please bring your stoma supplies to this appointment as we will need to change your pouch. During this appointment we will talk you through how to access further stoma supplies.
Appointments are generally 20 minutes, but you may be allocated a longer appointment time for your first appointment.
Appointments under the Frimley Park Team will be held at either Frimley Park Hospital - Colorectal Department, Aldershot Centre for Health and Heatherwood Hospital and for the Wexham Park Team they will be held at Wexham Park Hospital, St Marks Hospital Maidenhead and Heatherwood Hospital
Following your initial follow-up further appointments will be made based on individual need. Generally, you would require a review for 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year to continue with a regular annual review (Annual User Review)
Stoma Care products/ prescriptions
The NHS covers the majority of costs related to your essential stoma appliances and accessories including related fees associated with the prescribing, dispensing, customising and delivering of stoma products.
Some patients are required to pay for part of their prescription, but a high proportion of patients are exempt from all charges due to their medical or social situation. If you are unsure, please seek advice from your stoma nurse. You may be advised to request a medical exemption certificate from your General Practitioner.
We can arrange for a Dispensing Appliance Contractor to deliver these supplies to a delivery address if you wish or collect from a pharmacy.
Any product changes or additions must be made with your stoma care nurse’s approval.
When to contact the team
Early complications can occur with the stoma or peristomal skin whilst in hospital or within the first few weeks following surgery. You may be able to manage most complications at home, but your stoma team will be on hand to review and advise. We would always recommend seeking medical attention or advice if you are unsure.
Examples of when you might contact the team.
- If you are running low on your stoma appliances
- If you are having problems with your appliance, your pouch is leaking
- If the skin around the stoma becomes sore, itchy, red, inflamed
- If you are concerned your stoma has changed shape and need assistance to amend your template
- If your stoma is not functioning properly or has been inactive, you have nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
- You notice a bulge protruding around your stoma
- Your stoma has become longer than normal and is protruding further from the body
- Your stoma output is higher and more watery than normal, and you are feeling dehydrated.
Summary
Having a stoma can be more challenging to deal with psychologically rather than physically. It is a change to your body image and can influence the way you feel about yourself. It will take time to adjust to the change. Remember that it is important to address your physical and psychological health during your recovery.
Your Stoma Care Nurse will always be ready to support you through your journey, however seeking advice from local counselling services may provide further support.
Please speak to your Stoma Care Team about local support groups that facilitate meeting other ostomates.
We aim to give a high standard of personalised care to our patients and their families. We will carry this out in a professional manner with an empathetic and friendly attitude. We act as the patients advocate. We believe that everyone is deserving of living a full and fulfilled life without stigma and prejudice and will support our patients to this aim.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Stoma care service.
About this information
Service:
Stoma care
Reference:
H/104
Approval date:
30 June 2025
Review date:
1 June 2028
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.