Stoma
Individuals of all ages can have a stoma. Stoma surgery is undertaken to treat a range of illnesses including cancer, diverticulitis and Crohn's disease or following a trauma to the abdomen. Created with Colostomy UK, this page has resources for healthcare professionals living with a stoma and the line managers and trade union reps supporting them at work.
Emma's story
Emma's story - Inclusive healthcare workplaces are good for everyone
Emma has been nursing for 25 years. She shares how she left nursing to become a teaching assistant whilst recovering from severe ulcerative colitis and how she later returned to nursing.
During the pandemic, emergency surgery led to permanent stoma and a diagnosis of Crohn's disease.
For Emma, subtle actions by her employer have helped her feel safe to disclose her health issues and get the support she needs.
Her own experiences have also enhanced her patient care.
2.51 - returning to nursing after stoma surgery
4.22 - challenges of working with a stoma
9.25 - advice to others
11.20 - advice to line managers
16.48 - benefits of an inclusive health sector
Ian has worked as a nurse and trade union officer whilst adapting to life with a stoma.
0:47 - Stoma - what is it? Preferred language when discussing a stoma.
2:13 - Long Term Condition vs Disability
3:01 - Challenges of living with a stoma
4:12 - Reasonable adjustments for those living with a stoma
7:04 - Conversations with line managers
9:00 - A message to employers
9:30 - Ian's advice to others living with a stoma
11:03 - About Colostomy UK
Ian for Colostomy UK
Reasonable adjustments for living with a stoma
Our Health Ability Passport guidance has been developed with members with lived experience of disability, neurodivergence and long-term conditions.
With Callum Metcalfe-O'Shea, (RCN professional lead for long-term conditions) we have reviewed the guidance to make sure it supports members with a long-term condition diagnosis.
Use the guidance along with our Stoma specific passport template developed with Colostomy UK to ensure you have helpful conversations with your line manager that:
- Consider your specialist team reviews to ensure adjustments remain effective and appropriate
- Look at the impacts of medications and treatments and make adjustments around this
- Acknowledge fluctuating symptoms and plan for flare ups.
The passport template can be downloaded via the link on the right as a fillable pdf or, you can use it and the health ability passport guidance to inform completion of your employer's passport document, if they have one.
Have you used our guidance to get yourself or someone else reasonable adjustments at work? Please let us know how it went by completing our short survey.
