My final editorial for this Stoma Care Supplement as Chair of the Association of Stoma Care Nurses UK (ASCN UK) is one in which I have a host of ‘thank yous’ to give. A year as Shadow Chair, followed by 5 years at the helm of ASCN UK, has been challenging but hugely rewarding. The support and friendship I have received from my peers has enabled me to critically appraise stoma care as a specialism, thoroughly interrogate the literature relating to it and contribute to the learning resources required to support nurses in practice.
The value of stoma care nurse specialists cannot be underestimated. Whether we are at the novice stage of our journey into stoma care or are experts, we continually teach, learn and evaluate our practice and strive for better for our patients in terms of quality of care and advocacy.
I have been privileged to represent ASCN UK at both national and international level by engaging with other forums, such as the World Council of Enterostomal Therapists, the European Council of Enterostomal Therapy, PrescQipp, NHS England and have even visited the House of Lords. Representation at the National Bladder and Bowel Health Project forum and the NHS Supply Chain Ostomate Project has started the engagement required to help shape the national stoma care agenda, addressing issues of patient choice, cost reductions and quality of services.
In collaboration with the British Health Trades Association, ASCN UK has started to work towards securing an equitable and transparent process for the provision of stoma care services in the UK. Following MedTech Europe (2015) guidelines on ethical business practice, the partnership with industry allows for the development or establishment of stoma services that may not have been possible otherwise. Further engagement is being sought with the Department of Health and Social Care’s Medical Technology division to support its stoma agenda for sustainability, patient choice and reduction of wastage. It remains to be seen whether the future of stoma services in the UK will remain static or change dramatically in relation to these developments within any ever-changing economic and political climate.
“We continually teach, learn and evaluate our practice and strive for better for our patients in terms of quality of care and advocacy”
As a charity, ASCN UK recognises the vital role of other charities such as the Ileostomy Association, Colostomy UK and the Urostomy Association to name a few. I would like to thank all of them for engaging with ASCN UK and involving us with their own agendas, working tirelessly for their members to ensure fair and equitable patient representation at national forums, as well as providing psychological and moral support for those needing a stoma. The Patients, Industry and Professionals (PIPS) Forum brings all sectors engaging in stoma care together in collaboration, providing a voice to advocate for stoma care services.
Unifying our voice in this way has led to an increased awareness of the specialism of stoma care. The specialism is unique to nursing in that the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) in stoma care role is closely integrated with that of the manufacturing companies, which offer value for money with innovation in product development, as well as supporting nurses with education and resources for delivering a clinical service. The stoma care CNS is central to the patient’s recovery but is dependent on industry to be able to offer a comprehensive and wide range of quality products. Many CNSs have had the opportunity to engage in research and development of products to suit the needs of our patient group and opportunities like this should be encouraged as they help nurses to understand the commercial and economic arena and develop their role.
ASCN UK has gone from strength to strength and prides itself on having an agenda that is underpinned by quality and advocacy for patients. I wish the new committee every success and hope that I can continue to contribute to our ever-changing but wonderful specialism.