The team consists of a group of senior nurses who have acquired expert knowledge and specialized skills through experience and post registration education, which enables us to deliver a high quality service to patients, carers and other Health Professionals. The team are committed to improving the patients experience and care when they present to Good Hope Hospital with any bowel condition, disease or disorder and to assist, enhance and complement the Consultant Team in managing their care and ultimate outcome.

The team members caseload overlaps naturally especially between Stoma Care and Bowel Cancer and also between Stoma Care and Inflammatory Bowel Disease, therefore robust and sound communication channels are essential between team players to ensure seamless care for the patient.

We are based in Block 15 and see patients there by appointment as well as being available for telephone advice and support on a daily basis Monday to Friday.

Nursing Philosophy
The Bowel Care Nursing service is committed to caring for patients as part of the multidisciplinary, colorectal, gastroenterology and urology team. Patients who have, or fear they have a colorectal, gastroenterology or urological condition, including requiring stoma formation will have access to the Bowel Care Nursing Team for professional support, advise and information. Individualised care will be given in a balanced partnership with the patients, carers, other relevant professionals and voluntary support organisations. Evidence based professional support and education will be provided to enable patients to make informed choices about their treatment journey. We aim to deliver a high quality service acknowledging the physical, emotional psychological social and education needs of patients and their carers.

Nursing Strategy
The service provides for those patients newly diagnosed with a bowel condition and or requiring major surgery, in need of specialised nursing skills and knowledge pre and post operatively and in the community This serves to enhance and strengthen the activities of the surgical and medical team through provision of long term nursing support and advice. Programmes of rehabilitation are structured in partnership with patients carers, nursing and medical staff to enable patients to regain a quality of life, or in the event a peaceful and dignified death.