Stoma Therapy Clinics
Stomal therapy nurses provide a wide range of professional advice and support through specialised stoma clinics at ACT Health’s community health centres. The service is free to ACT residents holding Medicare or Asylum Seeker cards but appointments are essential.
Stoma clinics are held at Phillip Health Centre, Belconnen Community Health Centre and Tuggeranong Community Health Centre. To attend these clinics, please ring Community Health Intake (CHI) on 6207 9977.
If you are over 65 or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged over 50, please ring My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to be referred.
These clinics are run by Stomal Therapy Nurses to advise on stoma management and associated skin care. There is also a walk-in-clinic on the first two Wednesdays of the month from 10am to noon to provide advice on stoma management.
Ostomates living outside the ACT who want to consult an STN should contact their local hospital in the first instance.
You can find the stomal therapy nurse nearest to you by searching ‘Find an STN’ here: Australian Association of Stomal Therapy Nurses
Selecting and changing appliances
New ostomates will have their first products chosen by the medical professionals who handle their case. Usually, a stomal therapy nurse will select the products thought to be most suitable.
Ostomates may wish to try different products or change their existing product for another which they think might be more suitable.
As an ostomate, you are not bound to continue using a particular product, but we strongly recommend that you consult a stomal therapy nurse before trying something new.
You can do this by making an appointment at a stoma clinic.
Please note, association staff are not able to give clinical advice on products or their suitability.
Travel
Having a stoma is no barrier to travelling within Australia and overseas. Members have travelled and worked in some of the world’s most remote places.
But always make sure that you are properly prepared for the places that you intend to visit, and take account of any passenger or customs requirements.
You can find some useful advice here:
Australian Stoma – travelling overseas
Australian Stoma – national public toilet map
Department of Health – travel health information
Useful links
The internet is a rich source of information for ostomates new and old.
You might find some of these sites useful:
The Australian Council of Stoma Associations
THE COLORECTAL SURGICAL SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
ROYAL AUSTRALASIAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS – Colon and rectal surgery
Are the ‘click’ appliances for colostomy bags a viable alternative to the traditional use once units ?