Nurses’ co-author stoma book
Three St Mark’s nurses have co-authored a book helping support stoma patients recovery from colorectal surgery.
Stoma Care - a guide for patients by Rali Marinova, Petya Marinova and Zarah Perry-Woodford provides a comprehensive guide.
It covers topics such as pre and post-operative care, complication management, living with a stoma, cost of stoma care to the NHS along with testimonials from patients and information on stoma reversal.
Appendices include information which will assist patients and healthcare professionals on the management of high output stoma and colostomy irrigation, as well as detailed meal plans.
Zarah said: “We hope the information provided helps others on their journey with a stoma. It’s taken the best part of two years to write this book and was quite a challenge in a global pandemic.”
Petya said: “We’re very proud of the book, as it will help empower stoma patients and guide them to independently care for their stoma.”
Rali added: “It will also be a vital read for healthcare professionals, as there is detailed and comprehensive information on stoma care. We hope that it will be helpful to others outside of the UK, as it has already reached healthcare professionals in Italy, Croatia, Switzerland and Australia.”
The twins produced all of the book’s illustrations which is dedicated to former patient Joachim ‘Joe’ Dyer who battled the challenges of stoma care in the most dignified and determined manner.
The patient-centred book is unique to St Mark’s Hospital and follows the successful launch of the “Ileo-Anal Pouch Surgery for Ulcerative Colitis - A Guide for Patients” written by Zarah in 2016.
New St Mark’s stoma patients will be given the book free of charge or you can buy a copy via www.stmarkshospital.nhs.uk/stoma-care/ for £10 which will help cover reprinting and distribution costs.