Our specialist stoma care nurses were recently given a 'highly
commended' award in the innovation category at the British Journal
of Nursing Gastrointestinal Nursing Awards 2012.
Melanie Jerome and Amanda Gunning, who are based at Chelsea and
Westminster Hospital, picke
d up their certificate at a ceremony in London for
their work in providing psychological support to patients who had
undergone stoma treatment.
Melanie (right of picture) explains "We designed a new
pathway having surveyed our patients to see whether psychological
issues were a major issue for those that were, on the face of
things, coping physically with their stoma".
Amanda continues "We felt it was an unexplored area of stoma
care as it was sometimes an off the cuff comment at the end of an
appointment when a patient would say 'obviously I can't do that or
do this' that made us realise we need to do something about
psychological support. It was very pleasing to have our work
recognised as we have had a number of enquiries from other people
working in our field."
Melanie and Amanda recently presented their work at the World
Council of Enterostomal Therapists conference in Edinburgh. Their
findings were extremely well received, largely because their
psychological care pathway score now gives patients a tangible
piece of evidence to take on to their GP to help get further
support.
Please follow link to
find out more information about our stoma care services.
