Specialist nurses take over continence and stoma prescription services

Patients who use continence or stoma products in the borough will now receive their prescriptions from specialist nurses.
Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust has taken over the prescription services meaning patients will have easier access to expert staff and support for their conditions.

Patients will receive regular visits from nurses to assess their needs and will be able to phone the prescription service directly to request supplies of products.

They will be able to choose where and how they receive their prescription, including at their local pharmacy or delivered to their home.

The 12 month pilot project has been commissioned by NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (HMR CCG) and aims to improve the quality of care patients receive and free up GPs’ time.

Helen Wrench, Pennine Care’s Service Lead for Continence/ Stoma Care Nursing in Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale said: “We know from previous experience providing this specialist nursing care helps improve quality of life for patients and has tangible benefits such as reducing urinary tract infections and sore skin.”

Dr Lynn Hampson, clinical lead for planned and urgent care at NHS HMR CCG said: “The new service will be of great benefit to patients who use continence or stoma products living in the Rochdale borough. Instead of having to visit their GP for a prescription, specialist nurses from the service will be able to work closely with patients using their expertise and knowledge.”

The service will cover requests for products such as stoma bags, drainage bags and catheters and is being rolled out on a practice by practice basis, beginning with Wellfield Surgery and Edenfield Road Surgery.

People who have a catheter and receive care from a district nurse will continue to receive their prescription directly from the nurse as usual.

Patients do not need to take any action to prepare for the change and will be informed by their GP before their service is transferred to Pennine Care.