Colorectal Surgery
The colorectal surgery service at University Hospitals provides care for a number of conditions related to the bowel. These conditions include colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel conditions such as ulcerative colitis and crohns disease following surgery (prior to surgical intervention it is the Gastroenterology Team who care for these patients).
Surgeons also provide a pelvic floor surgery service which also allows for the clinical management and treatment of patients suffering from chronic diarrhoea. This includes Sacral Nurse Stimulation and a Nurse Led Rectal Irrigation Service.
As well as eight surgeons treating patients, the service also calls on the expertise of physicians, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and specialist nurses to provide the very best possible care for all patients.
The colorectal surgery service at UHNM provides a full range of diagnostic tests, scans, outpatient consultations and treatments for patients experiencing symptoms suggestive of benign and malignant disease, such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, anorectal complaints such as haemorrhoids and fissures, as well as pelvic floor disorders. We work on both sites Royal Stoke and County Hospital
Our service also investigates patients referred on a suspected colorectal cancer pathway (2 week wait) which is integrated with the Cancer Service.
Our colorectal surgery service team includes, surgeons, gastroenterologists, histopathologists and specialist nurses working within the specialities of bowel cancer screening, cancer care, stoma care and pelvic floor.
The service provides an array of surgical techniques including Robotic surgery and TEMS.
Robotic surgery has been performed at UHNM since 2017. The robot enables surgeons to perform targeted advanced cancer surgery. A number of our surgeons are trained to operate using The Da Vinci Robot.
TEMS (Transanal Endoscopic MicroSurgery). This procedure is performed under General Anaesthetic and allows surgery to be performed within the rectum using a special microscope without the need for incisions or external scars on the abdomen.
Colorectal Cancer is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in the UK, with approximately 42,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
The colorectal cancer service at the UHNM is provided by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) of healthcare professionals who look after different areas of your treatment and care.
The colorectal cancer multidisciplinary team, (MDT) meet every week on Tuesday afternoon. During this meeting, the team will discuss your case and decide on the most appropriate treatment options for you.
Following this meeting, you will be invited to a clinic appointment with your consultant where the options will be discussed with you. You will be supported to make an informed choice about your treatment.
There are a series of tests and investigations which can be done to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of colorectal cancer and also to find out whether cancer has spread to other parts of your body.
During these investigations, a scope (tube with a camera on the end) will be passed through your bowel. A sigmoidoscopy examines the lower part of your large bowel, while a colonoscopy looks further round.
Doctors use this test to examine the lining of the bowel and check for abnormalities. If an abnormality is found, a biopsy (tissue sample) may be taken and sent to the laboratory for examination.
You may be required to have scans to help with diagnosis. CT and MRI scans can help to assess the size of your cancer and how far it has spread. This is called ‘staging’. It is important your doctor knows the extent of the cancer to help them decide on the most appropriate treatment.
Staging of the cancer is based on the results of these tests and also what is found once the cancer has been removed.
Surgery
You may be offered an operation to remove your tumour and part of the bowel either side of this. Depending on the extent of the tumour, your bowel may be joined back together, this is called an anastomosis.
If the tumour is low down in your rectum there may not be enough bowel to join, in this case, you may need a colostomy (stoma) formed.
A stoma is an artificial opening where a healthy piece of bowel is brought to the surface of your abdomen. Your stool passes through this opening instead of through your rectum. You will need to wear an appliance (bag) over this opening to collect your stools. This type of stoma is permanent.
Sometimes we recommend a temporary stoma to rest your bowel while healing takes place.
If a stoma is planned from the outset, you will meet a stoma care nurse who will explain exactly what to expect. They will support you to care for your stoma and help you to adapt to living with this.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy (drug treatment) may be recommended for you. Chemotherapy or systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) is given to destroy or control cancer cells by damaging them so they cannot divide and grow.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses high energy X-rays to treat cancer cells. The treatment area includes the tumour and the surrounding lymph nodes (if necessary). This is planned specifically for you, to destroy cancer cells, with the least amount of damage to your normal tissues.
Colorectal Surgeons
Our team of colorectal surgeons provide treatment for malignant and benign colorectal conditions.
The colorectal surgeons are:
Mr A Tsiamis, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon.
Mr R Dawson, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon.
Mr M Farmer, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon.
Mr V Garimella, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon.
Mr N Yeomans, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon.
Mr D Luke, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon.
Mr P Varghese, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon.
Mr T Bullen, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon.
Mr S Roy, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon.
Ms A Gaunt, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon.
Mr G Goussous, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon.
Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) Team
The Clinical Nurse specialist team act as your key worker during your investigations and treatment at the hospital.
They are specially trained in colorectal cancer and offer holistic needs assessments, providing information, advice and emotional support to patients and their families.
Our team members are:
Dorothy Munyanyi, Macmillan Lead Colorectal CNS.
Lisa Watts, Colorectal CNS.
Louise Butler, Colorectal CNS.
Linsey Page, Macmillan Colorectal CNS.
Jayne Green, Colorectal CNS.
Amy Hiscock, Macmillan Metastatic Colorectal CNS.
Donna Wooldridge, Macmillan Colorectal Navigator.
Colorectal Oncologists
We have a team of oncologists who specialise in the treatment of colorectal cancer.
Treatments include radiotherapy provided by the UHNM Cancer Centre at Royal Stoke University Hospital (RSUH) and chemotherapy which is provided at the Cancer Centres and both RSUH and County Hospital.
Our Oncologists are :
Dr C Connolly, Consultant Clinical Oncologist.
Dr N Sharma, Consultant Medical Oncologist.
Colorectal Radiology
The imaging team is led by consultant radiologists who specialise in interpreting scans.
Our Radiologists are :
Dr I Britton, Consultant Radiologist.
Dr R Balasubramaniam, Consultant Radiologist.
Dr B Thomas, Consultant Radiologist.
Colorectal Pathologists
We have a team of pathologists who specialise in the examination of colorectal tissue samples.
Our Pathologists are :
Dr K Kalyanasundarem, Consultant Histopahologist.
Dr P Simcock, Consultant Histopathologist.
Dr N Gamage, Consultant Histopathologist.
Dr R Howe, Consultant Histopathologist.
Stoma Care Team
We have a team of nurses who specialise in stoma care.
Our stoma care nurses are:
Simekuhle Ndlovu, Lead Stoma Care CNS.
Jo-Ann Nazareth Bennett, Stoma Care CNS.
Katey Taylor, Stoma Care CNS.
Dola Idowu, Stoma Care CNS.
Grace Johnson, Stoma Care Staff Nurse.
Soraya Parrish, Stoma Care Assistant
Pelvic Floor CNS Team
Our pelvic floor CNS team are :
Michelle Spencer, Pelvic floor CNS.
Nicola Lawton, Pelvic floor CNS.
Some patients will be introduced to open access follow up on completion of treatment for colorectal cancer. Your surgeon or oncologist will advise you if you eligible to be followed up on the open access pathway.
At the Open access introduction clinic you will be provided with a detailed leaflet and guide regarding the pathway.
The new guidelines have been introduced nationally to enhance patient care. It has been find out that patients on the traditional follow-up pathway of 6-12 monthly clinic visits often do not report new symptoms till then next clinic appointment, which can delay in diagnosis of cancer recurrences
Therefore the open access pathway, puts you in control of the care and allows you to take an active and leading role in your recovery with the help of the colorectal team.
This is managed by our Lead CNS and Navigator.
Colorectal CNS team- 01782 672801
Colorectal Surgical secretaries- 01782 679879 (stoke) or 01785 230369( county)
Colorectal Ward 108 (female) 01782676108
Colorectal Ward 109 (male) 01782 676109
Patient Support Services
- Bowel Cancer Support Group found on facebook- Your key worker will provide you with information on how to join (link)
- Macmillan Cancer Support – We have information centres at both RSUH and County Hospital Sites.
- Disability Solutions West Midlands – Local advisors can give you advice on financial worries.
- Bowel Cancer UK.
- NHS Bowel Cancer Screening programme (BCSP)
Stoma Care Nursing Services
The Stoma care Team at the University Hospital of the North Midlands (UHNM) consists of 6 members, including a Lead Nurse, 4 Stoma Care Specialists, a Healthcare Assistant / ADMINISTRATOR. The team works closely with a Coloplast stoma care nurse specialist to provide a seamless service in the community both in County and in Stoke on Trent and also in County hospital.
Stoma Care Helpline number:
01782 672802
(Please always leave a message and we will return your call as soon as we are able)
Stoma Care Email Address:
colorectal.faxes@nhs.net
(Please put for the attention of Stoma nurses as subject for the email)
Who can refer patients to the Stoma care team?
- Did you know you can self refer to our clinic? please contact us on the telephone number or email address provided above.
- GP referral – However, GP’s can ask a patient to self refer if appropriate.
- Any other Health care provider – This includes District Nurses and Care homes/ Care Companies.
Many Thanks,
Your Stoma Care Team.
Our vision is to make certain every patient undergoing stoma or internal pouch surgery is well supported, understood and empowered to ensure optimal quality of life is restored.
The Stoma Care Team at UHNM is dedicated to providing individualised, expert and research-based nursing care within the field of colorectal surgery. We aim to offer sustainable services for both inpatients and outpatients, providing an exceptional experience for all.
For our patients and community we aim to:
- Treat all patients with dignity and respect
- Provide high quality, evidence-based clinical care
- Select appropriate and economical yet high quality stoma appliances and accessories that allow patients to return to the lifestyle they desire
- Work collaboratively with other teams to provide a safe and seamless transfer for patients from acute hospital services into community care
- Develop robust links with patients to offer long-term support and clinical review
- Continue to develop and support nursing / medical staff in order to maintain and improve standards of care.
The aim of the stoma service is to provide an informative and supportive service to all our patients with a stoma, antegrade colonic enema, enterocutaneous fistula or internal pouch. This will begin when you meet your specialist nurse, usually before surgery. You will be given information regarding your surgery. On admission to the hospital an ideal site for your stoma will be selected, your specialist nurse will talk to you about whether you have understood this information and discuss any questions or anxieties you may have.
After your operation you will be shown how to care for your stoma, including how to empty and change the appliance independently. You will be given information regarding your diet, on-going supplies, returning to work, common problems and much more.
If you are a local patient, you will be followed up two weeks after your surgery at home. If you live outside the area then you will be referred to a stoma care nurse based in your area, who will provide on-going support.
During these difficult times, we would like to make available this Stoma Patient Covid-19 Self Help Guide for our patients. Please click on the following link to read the PDF.
The stoma care clinics are for patients to attend for preoperative counselling, routine check-ups, if problems occur or if further information is required. The clinics are for appointments only.
You can make an appointment by contacting the stoma care department directly or by getting a referral from your GP.
County Outpatient Clinic:
Thursday PM
Stoke-on-Trent Clinic:
Monday – Friday AM and PM
Stoma care contact details:
Telephone: 01782 6 72802
Email: colorectal.faxes@nhs.net
There are a number of safe, gentle and achievable exercises that patients can follow together with advice from their health care professionals.
Outlook is a local Ostomy support group that supports anyone with a stoma
Telephone: 07788107937 or 07788107937
Email: cm.hammond@ntlworld.com
The Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association (IA) is a registered charity, supporting people living with an ileostomy or internal pouch. Tel: 0800 018 4724, 01702 549859, email: info@iasupport.org
Young IA offers support to young members under the age of 40, either pre-surgery or post-surgery, who undergo either an ileostomy or an internal pouch operation. Tel: 0800 0184 724 / 01702 549859, email: youngia@iasupport.org
Colostomy UK is a registered charity, supporting people living with a colostomy. 24hr helpline: 0800 328 4257, email: info@colostomyuk.org
Junior Ostomy Support Helpline (JOSH). Provides support for parents and carers of young people living with a stoma and other bowel and bladder dysfunctions through Colostomy UK. 24hr helpline: 0800 328 4257, email: info@colostomyuk.org
Urostomy Association is a registered charity supporting people living with a urostomy. Tel: 01385 430 140, email: info@01386 430 140, email: info@urostomyassociation.org.uk
Meet the Stoma Team
Sime Ndlovu
Lead Stoma Care CNS
Jo-Ann Nazareth Bennett
Stoma Care CNS
Dola Idowu
Stoma Care CNS
Sy Parrish
Stoma Care HCA
Katey Taylor
Stoma Care Nurse Specialist
Grace Johnson
Stoma Care Support Staff Nurse