Stoma Care at Home
Stoma Care at Home
Living with a stoma requires consistent, dignified and properly managed care. CareLink Direct provides nurse-supervised stoma care at home across Sussex and Surrey, supporting people to manage their stoma safely and comfortably in their own surroundings.
Stoma Care at Home
A stoma is a surgically created opening on the abdomen that diverts the flow of waste from the digestive or urinary system. It is typically created following surgery such as a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy, and results in waste being collected in a pouch worn on the outside of the body.
Stoma care involves the regular emptying and changing of the stoma pouch, cleaning and protecting the skin around the stoma opening, and monitoring for any signs of skin irritation, infection or complications with the pouch seal.
For many people, adapting to life with a stoma takes time, and having consistent, experienced support at home makes an important difference, both practically and emotionally. CareLink Direct’s team approaches stoma care with the privacy and dignity that every person deserves.
When is stoma care support at home the right choice?
Stoma care support at home is helpful when someone is managing a stoma and finds it difficult to manage independently, or when a stoma is part of a wider package of complex care needs.
You may be considering stoma care support if your loved one:
- Has a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy and needs support with pouch changes
- Has limited dexterity, mobility or vision that makes self-management difficult
- Has recently had stoma surgery and is still adapting to the change
- Is experiencing skin problems or complications around the stoma site
- Has other complex health needs and needs stoma care as part of a wider package
How our stoma care supports families
- Discreet, dignified support that respects the person’s privacy at all times
- Trained carers with specific competency in stoma care, supervised by our nurses
- Regular monitoring of the stoma site and surrounding skin
- Documentation of any changes or concerns, with escalation to the nurse team when needed
- Support in establishing a routine that works for the individual
- Coordination with the stoma nurse specialist or clinical team if issues arise
- Families supported and kept informed
What stoma care involves
Our team provides stoma care as part of a nurse-supervised care plan. This typically includes:
- Emptying and changing the stoma pouch
- Cleaning the stoma and the surrounding skin
- Applying and fitting new appliances correctly to maintain a good seal
- Monitoring the stoma site for signs of prolapse, retraction or skin breakdown
- Documenting stoma output and any changes in colour or consistency
- Reporting concerns to the nurse team and, where needed, to the stoma nurse specialist
- Supporting the person to maintain as much independence with their stoma care as they wish
Arranging stoma care at home
If your loved one has a stoma and needs support managing it at home, we are here to help. We treat every aspect of stoma care with the dignity and discretion it deserves, and we build each care plan around the individual rather than a set routine.
Registered for TDDI
“Registered to provide Treatment of Disease, Disorder or Injury (TDDI)”, meaning we are approved to deliver complex clinical care at home for people living with serious illness, disability, or injury.
