Changes To Stoma Appliance Prescribing

FAO patients being prescribed stoma products – the way they are prescribed for you is changing.

What will be changing?

From the 19th August responsibility for prescribing your stoma products will transfer from your GP Practice over to the Specialist Stoma Nurses based at either The Bristol Royal Infirmary (University Hospital Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust) OR Southmead Hospital (North Bristol NHS Trust). Prescription requests for your stoma products will now be managed by the Stoma Nurses instead of your GP.

The Stoma Nurse Prescribing Service will have access to your GP practice prescribing records and will be able to prescribe the stoma products that are appropriate for your needs. The nurses will issue your repeat prescriptions every two months or at a frequency that is appropriate for you.

Why is prescribing being changed?

Over the last two years a pilot has been running in some parts of Bristol where the Stoma Nurses have been prescribing the stoma products for some patients. The results of the pilot show that patients prefer having their stoma products prescribed by a specialist stoma nurse and value the increased access to an experienced and knowledgeable stoma specialist.

When does this change start?

The start date for this change will be 19th August 2024.

Up until this date, you should continue to order your stoma products in the usual way.

How will I get my stoma supplies after the change?

If you normally request your supplies directly from your Dispensing Appliance Contractor (DAC) or pharmacy, you should continue to do this in the normal way. All dispensers have been informed of this change and will contact the Stoma Nurse Prescribing Service to request your prescriptions on your behalf.

If you normally contact your GP Practice to request your stoma product prescriptions, you will now need to contact the Stoma Nurse Prescribing Service instead, who will issue your prescription and send it to your chosen DAC or pharmacy for you. You can either request your prescriptions over the telephone or email as below – take care to select the hospital yu are under for your stoma care.

If your Stoma Nursing Team is at the Bristol Royal Infirmary –

Tel: 0117 342 5677

(Between 9am and 2pm Monday to Friday. Please note that messages can be left outside of these times).

Or by emailing the service:

Email: [email protected]

If your Stoma Nursing Team is at Southmead Hospital

Tel: 0117 414 0250

(Between 10.00am and 2.00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Please note that messages can be left outside of these times.)

Or by emailing the service:

Email: [email protected]

Please note that you will still continue to receive the stoma products that you need for your stoma care. The stoma nurses will prescribe the most appropriate products for you.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Stoma Nurse Prescribing Service on the appropriate telephone numbers above.