Stomal therapy

A stoma is an opening on the body that we create with surgery. It lets us get rid of waste materials from your body or divert fluids. A stoma may be temporary or permanent. Types of stomas include colostomy, ileostomy and ileal conduit (or urinary diversion). Stomal Therapy refers to the management and care of stomas

Stomal therapy's goal is to provide you with a functioning and well-healed stoma. This stoma will be comfortable, secure, and okay to see. This involves working with you to select the right type of appliance. We will teach you how to care for your stoma and address any complications that may arise. Stomal therapy nurses have undertaken further education that makes them registered. This training lets them to supply specialised, quality, and ongoing support. They can care for people undergoing surgery that involves the formation of a stoma. We encourage your family and/or friends to learn about stoma care at your discretion. 

Stomal therapy services 

Our stomal therapy nursing service supplies specialised inpatient and ambulatory care for patients. This includes the following services: 

  • Pre-operative education, including counselling. We provide this to all patients undergoing surgery that may involve the formation of a stoma. 

  • Post-operative education to promote independence in stoma care. 

  • Ongoing outpatient support for people living with a stoma. This includes intervention, travel advice, revision/management of stoma supplies. 

  • Liaison with external/community health care providers to ensure ongoing support if needed 

  • Consultation for management of fistulae and large wounds. 

  • Help and support for patients that have long term drain tubes or fistulae. 

More services 

  • Colostomy irrigation education 

  • Help with management of faecal incontinence/post operative bowel dysfunction 

  • Stoma/wound care education for our staff 

  • Support for the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding tubes. This includes advice about skin care at site, tube changes and/or removals. 

Clinic times 

Clinics are by appointment only. 

Stomal Therapy clinics 

Tuesday 1:30pm – 4:30pm 

Friday 1:30pm – 4:30pm 

Multidisciplinary PEG clinic 

Wednesday 1:30pm – 4:30pm 

Referral information 

Patients undergoing treatment with us can self-refer to the stomal therapy nursing service. We can supply a clinical review or information and /or advice about stoma care. Use the contact details below to make an appointment. Members of a patient’s treating team can also make referrals to stomal therapy nursing. 

Location 

Specialist Clinics 
Level 2 
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre 
305 Grattan Street 
Melbourne VIC 3000 

Contact 

  • Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or ask the switchboard to transfer you to one of our stomal therapy nurses 
  • Phone: (03) 8559 5000 

Resources 

Links 

Related pages

Go back to the Treatments page