- Our services
- Medical and surgical
- Stomal therapy
Stomal therapy
A stoma may be created after bowel surgery (colostomy or ileostomy) or bladder surgery (urostomy). It may be temporary or permanent. A temporary stoma will usually be closed after three months or when chemotherapy or radiation treatments are complete.
For some, adjusting to a stoma and learning to look after it may take time and patience. Our stomal therapy caregivers understand this and help you address any challenges you may have.
Stomal therapy services
Stomal therapy services help you adjust to living with a temporary or permanent stoma. We work closely with medical and allied health practitioners to achieve positive outcomes for you and your family. We aim to achieve your pre-surgery activities of daily living.
A stomal therapy nurse will work closely with you and your family or carers. The nurse will:
- meet or call you to ensure you understand the surgery and the reasons for a stoma
- mark the site/s for the stoma on your abdomen prior to surgery
- educate you about managing your stoma and provide relevant surgical information
- give you advice on stoma supplies and how to access them
- give you advice on skin care
- explain fluid and dietary requirements and arrange a dietitian consultation if needed.
Patient’s report that meeting with the stomal therapy nurse prior to surgery is of benefit to:
- reduce anxiety
- provide accurate information that they can understand
- help with any decision making that is required.
Benefits of our services
You may benefit from our service through:
- one-on-one consultation with a stomal therapy nurse
- information and support before and after surgery
- education and problem solving on the full range of related issues, including skin care, diet, and accessing stomal supplies
- reassurance that you will be able to achieve good quality of life with a stoma.
Access to stomal therapy services
- Your surgeon will refer you to the stoma therapist
- The stoma therapist will try to contact you prior to elective surgery.
Costs and fee payment options
If you have private health insurance, the costs for your hospital stay and specialist fees may be covered by your health fund, based on your level of cover.
If you don’t have private health insurance, you can access treatment at a St John of God Health Care hospital through our self-funded care option.
When you use your private health insurance, you get benefits that include access to St John of God Health Care private hospital facilities, your choice of specialist, minimal wait times, and with an eligible policy most of your hospital costs can be covered by your private health insurance fund.
You should contact your health insurer to understand your level of cover, and whether your policy is subject to additional fees such as a hospital excess or other ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses. Your health insurer will also be able to assist in understanding if you will have doctor, radiology and pathology out-of-pocket costs.
Patients who don’t have private health insurance can choose to access St John of God Health Care private hospital services and treatments by paying fees themselves.
By accessing our self-funded care option, you’ll be able to avoid wait times and have your surgery or treatment with your choice of specialist at a St John of God Health Care private hospital.
- Learn more and enquire about the self-funded care option.
- Call 1300 940 199 to get a quote for self-funded treatment.
If you have received an invoice for an expense associated with treatment from a St John of God Health Care service you can pay your bill online.
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