The Stoma & Pouch Teams at St Mark’s Hospital consists of 12 members, including a Consultant Nurse, a Lead Nurse, 5 Stoma Care Specialists, a Pouch Care Specialist, a Healthcare Assistant, a Team Pathway Co-ordinator and 2 Community Stoma Care Specialists.
Our vision
Our vision is to make certain every patient undergoing stoma or internal pouch surgery is well supported, understood and empowered to ensure optimal quality of life is restored.
Mission statement
The Stoma and Internal Pouch Department at St Mark’s Hospital is dedicated to providing individualised, expert and research-based nursing care within the field of colorectal surgery. We aim to offer sustainable services for both inpatients and outpatients, providing an exceptional experience for all.
For our patients and community we aim to:
- Treat all patients with dignity and respect
- Provide high quality, evidence-based clinical care
- Select appropriate and economical yet high quality stoma appliances and accessories that allow patients to return to the lifestyle they desire
- Work collaboratively with other teams to provide a safe and seamless transfer for patients from acute hospital services into community care
- Develop robust links with patients to offer long-term support and clinical review
- Continue to develop and support nursing / medical staff in order to maintain and improve standards of care.
The aim of the nursing service
The aim of the stoma and internal pouch nursing service is to provide 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.
How to refer patients to our services
- Patients’ GPs will need to send a referral via our Nursing Team generic email – LNHW-tr.stomacare@nhs.net for stoma patients or LNHW-tr.internalpouchcare@nhs.net for internal pouch patients.
- The referral will need to include patients’ full past medical/surgical history, medications list, any relevant investigations.
- For any queries regarding referrals contact 0208 453 2196 for stoma patients and 0208 453 2099 for internal pouch patients.
Stoma care clinics
The stoma care clinics are for patients to attend for preoperative counselling, routine check-ups, if problems occur or if further information is required. The clinics are for appointments only and the venue depends upon where you are registered with your GP. You can make an appointment by contacting the stoma care department directly or by getting a referral from your GP.
| CLINIC | VENUE | DAY | TIME |
| Brent | Wembley Centre for Health and Care, 116 Chaplin Road, Wembley (Confirm room with reception) HA0 4UZ | Tuesday | 0900 – 16.30 |
| Brent, Harrow, Ealing | Stoma Department Ground Floor Central Middlesex Hospital Acton Lane Park Royal | Monday -Friday | 09.00 – 15.00 |
| Harrow | Stoma Department Level 4 Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road HA13UJ | Tuesday and Thursday (pm) | 1200 – 15.00 |
| Edgware | Edgware Community Hospital, Burnt Oak Broadway, Edgware (Room 62 for now) HA8 0AD | Wednesdays (pm) | 1300 – 1630 |
| Ealing | Outpatients 2, Area C, Ealing Hospital, 601 Uxbridge Road, Southall UB1 3HW | Thursdays (am) | 0900 – 1200 |
Rapid Access Clinics for all patients by appointment only. Please contact the stoma team directly for all stoma care or rapid access clinic appointments.
Stoma care contact details
Phone: 02084532196
Email: lnwh-tr.stomacare@nhs.net
Stoma Bag Change
Below is a basic stoma care video with a step-by-step instruction on changing a stoma bag.
Exercising with a stoma
There are a number of safe, gentle and achievable exercises that patients can follow together with advice from their health care professionals. Please click on this link for more information or watch the video below.
Stoma Care – A Guide for Patients
Written by Rali Marinova, Petya Marinova and Zarah Perry-Woodford
St Mark’s Hospital
Our new stoma book will be a useful read for both patients and healthcare professionals. Its aim is to promote self-care by providing stoma patients with detailed information on stoma care and empowering them to independently care for their stoma on daily basis. Additionally, the book will guide them through every step of their life with a stoma and also help healthcare professionals better understand the stoma patients’ journey and specific needs.
If you are interested in purchasing a copy for £10 or more if you would like to help fund research and education at St Mark’s Hospital, as well as reprinting and distribution costs for the book, you can pay using the following payment methods:
Direct Debit or Online Banking – when making a payment please remember to quote ‘Stoma book’ as payment reference.
Account Name: St Mark’s Hospital Foundation
Account Number: 00085102 Sort Code: 40-52-40
Phone payment – your card details will be collected via telephone and a secure virtual terminal – Point of Sales (POS), will be used to process your payment. You will need to contact us by phoning +44 (0)20 8453 2099
Donation to St Mark’s Hospital Foundation – you can donate to us here
Once payment is complete, please contact us for further instructions regarding shipping by emailing lnwh-tr.stm-stomabook@nhs.net or phoning +44 (0)20 8453 2196.
Patient information leaflets
Advice about eating and drinking when you have a high output stoma
Healthy Eating for People with an Ileostomy
Dietary Advice for people with a Colostomy
St Mark’s High Output Stoma Management
St Mark’s Stoma Obstruction Management
Stoma patient support groups
Inside Out Stoma Support Group supports anyone with a stoma and is based at St Mark’s Hospital. Tel: 02084284242, email: info@iossg.org.uk
The Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association (IA) is a registered charity, supporting people living with an ileostomy or internal pouch. Tel: 08000184724, 01702549859, email: info@iasupport.org
Young IA offers support to young members under the age of 40, either pre-surgery or post-surgery, who undergo either an ileostomy or an internal pouch operation. Tel: 08000184724 / 01702549859, email: youngia@iasupport.org
Colostomy UK is a registered charity, supporting people living with a colostomy. 24h helpline: 08003284257, email: info@colostomyuk.org
Junior Ostomy Support Helpline (JOSH) provides support for parents and carers of young people living with a stoma and other bowel and bladder dysfunctions through Colostomy UK. 24h helpline: 08003284257, email: info@colostomyuk.org
The Urostomy Association is a registered charity, supporting people living with a urostomy. Tel: 01386430140, email: info@urostomyassociation.org.uk
Pouch team
Pouch care clinics
The pouch care clinics are for patients to attend for preoperative counselling, routine check-ups, if problems occur or if further information is required. The clinics are for appointments only and the venue depends upon where you are registered with your GP. You can make an appointment by contacting the pouch care department directly or by getting a referral from your GP.
| Brent, Harrow, Ealing | Stoma Department Ground Floor Central Middlesex Hospital Acton Lane Park Royal | Monday -Friday | 09.00 – 15.00 |
Rapid Access Clinics for all patients by appointment only. Please contact the pouch team directly for all pouch care or rapid access clinic appointments.
Pouch care contact details
Phone: 02084532099
E-mail: lnwh-tr.internalpouchcare@nhs.net
Ileo-Anal Pouch Surgery for Ulcerative Colitis – A Guide for Patients
Written by Zarah Perry-Woodford; Consultant Nurse Pouch and Stoma Care, St Mark’s Hospital
This book aims to prepare patients who are considering ileo-anal pouch surgery for ulcerative colitis. It covers topics such as stoma care, dietary and lifestyle considerations, support mechanisms and offers practical assistance for managing potential complications.
This book has been written by medical experts and critiqued by those living with an ileo-anal pouch. We hope it will be an asset for those who may be thinking of having surgery for UC or members of their family who may require information.
“This book is dedicated to all my patients who have inspired me by their bravery and determination to conquer ill health.”
If you are interested in purchasing a copy for £10 or more if you would like to help fund research and education at St Mark’s Hospital, you can pay using the following payment methods:
Direct Debit or Online Banking – when making a payment please remember to quote ‘Pouch book’ as payment reference.
Account Name: St. Mark’s Hospital Foundation
Account Number: 00085102 Sort Code: 40-52-40
Phone payment – your card details will be collected via telephone and a secure virtual terminal – Point of Sales (POS), will be used to process your payment. You will need to contact us by phoning +44 (0)2084532099
Donation to St Mark’s Hospital Foundation – you can donate to us here
Once payment is complete, please contact us for further instructions regarding shipping by emailing lnwh-tr.stm-pouchbook@nhs.net or phoning +44 (0)2084532099.
Patient information leaflets
Ileoanal Pouch – Perianal Skin Care
Managing strictures and adhesions – Liquid diet
Managing strictures and adhesions – soft diet
St Mark’s High Output Pouch Management
St Mark’s Pouch Obstruction Management
Pouch Patient Support Groups
The Red Lion Group (RLG) is a support for people who have had or are considering pouch surgery. RLG provides a friendly and informed forum for the sharing of ideas, concerns, tips, experiences and information to support pouch patients, future pouch patients and their friends and family. Email: membership@pouchsupport.org
The Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association (IA) is a registered charity, supporting people living with an ileostomy or internal pouch. Tel: 08000184724, 01702549859, email: info@iasupport.org
Young IA offers support to young members under the age of 40, either pre-surgery or post-surgery, who undergo either an ileostomy or an internal pouch operation. Tel: 08000184724 / 01702549859, email: youngia@iasupport.org