Partnerships in care

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.