STOPPS: The Royal College of Surgeons England, Friday 13th June

Date: 24 June 2025

Stoma Formation – the Perceptions of Patients’ and Surgeons on Communication

Representatives of ASCN UK committee attended this meeting to give opinion and insight into the issue of communication around stoma care, particularly prior to and in the preparation for stoma formation. Maddie and Natasha, along with other Specialist Stoma Care Nurses, doctors, patients and support group representatives to name a few, were able to share their experiences and expertise within the groups.

Of most impact were the personal stories from the patients who are experts by experience who were able to share examples of  communication they had experienced related to their upcoming stoma formation. Some had excellent experiences with informed, positive conversations with all manner of clinicians. Sadly though, all of those present could detail and describe having experienced negativity and misinformation, often from those who should know better. For example, ‘throw away’ comments by those caring for them which may have been well intentioned but poorly thought through had such a negative and damaging impact and reminded us why this project is so vital.

We looked at 4 key themes around adaption to life with a stoma and moving to independence, and their impact on the patient’s stoma journey as well as how things should be versus how they may be in relation to communication. This will provide a platform for the researchers to construct their research project with the aim of improving how stoma formation and living with a stoma is discussed.

It was a privilege to have been included in this day, and this piece of work will hopefully have a huge impact for the ostomate community in the future, both for patients and Specialist teams alike.

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