Skin First: Counting the cost of peristomal skin complications

Hollister Incorporated is an independent, employee-owned company that develops, manufactures, and markets healthcare products and services worldwide.

We offer advanced medical products for Ostomy Care, which includes two strong global brands: Hollister Ostomy and Dansac Ostomy, and Continence Care. We also provide innovative healthcare programs and services, as well as educational materials for patients and healthcare professionals.

Hollister has been serving healthcare professionals and patients for more than 95 years — making a difference in the journey of life for people throughout the global community.

Libby has been leading the national charity Colostomy UK since June 2017. Colostomy UK exists to make a positive difference for anyone impacted by any kind of stoma or stoma surgery. As CEO Libby drives, develops, and supports the team to help our beneficiaries live in a world where having a stoma presents no obstacles or barriers and carries no stigma.

The charities work provides practical and emotional support and advice whenever it’s needed. Run’s projects that empower and build the confidence to take on fresh challenges. Ensures the charity are a voice on the issues that matter, campaigning and advocating for ostomates’ rights.

Gail registered as a qualified nurse in 1998 and has worked at 3 major hospital trusts during her career and now holds the post of Clinical Lead for Stoma Services in the East Kent. Gail has been a stoma care nurse specialist for 15 years, working very closely with local ostomate groups to co create and deliver the current stoma care service in the East Kent area. Gail's main role is deliver face to face clinical care and support to ostomates and their carers in the pre operative, in hospital and post operative phase to promote independence and living well with a stoma.

Graeme is 61 and currently lives in North West Essex with his wife of 36 years and little Jack Russell dog. He has 4 adult children who have now all left home.
He inherited Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) from his father and has been under the care of St Mark’s Hospital since the early 90’s. He had total colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis in 1992, followed by an ileostomy, proctectomy and abdominal wall reconstruction in 2021.
Graeme’s stoma was reformed in 2022 to address a subcutaneous prolapse and issues arising from this. The operation to reform his stoma was successful, but he then experienced a challenging time over a 3-month period post-op due to an infected seroma and severe prolapsing. These issues were treated or otherwise resolved themselves, and he now lives happily with his stoma.
Professionally, Graeme has been working in the field of accessibility and disability for about 20 years, the prior 20 years to that he worked in IT. He is now a self-employed consultant who specialises in helping employers be inclusive for disabled people. He was awarded an MBE in 2016 for his serves to people with dementia and disabilities. When not working, Graeme enjoys woodwork (in particular whittling), learning to read music and play the piano, and astrophotography.

Rebecca has been in stoma nursing for the past 26 years, working as a stoma nurse at 3 London NHS Trusts before joining Hollister in 2008. Rebecca has an interest in the benefit of a structured pathway in stoma care and how proactive assessment vs reactive treatment can prevent peristomal skin complications and improve outcomes. She has published and presented on this topic both locally and internationally, She was awarded ASCN Stoma Care Nurse of the Year in 2016.
Currently she is the Director of Nursing for Hollister, leading a team of 70 nurses across the UK and Ireland to provide specialist stoma nursing support to people who are living with an ostomy.

Nick is a professional economist and is a Manager at Frontier Economics. He specialises in health and social care and advises clients on topics including policy and regulation, evaluation and appraisal, cost-of-illness studies and Social Return on Investment.

I started my career 20 years ago on a busy colorectal surgical ward which I loved; the buzz of the ward was great with a wonderful team of nurses. For 16 years I was the lead stoma nurse for Leeds Community Healthcare (LCH) NHS Trust where I developed the service from new and now have a team of stoma nurses. The team visit patients post operatively at home to teach them how to look after their new stoma and support them in promoting independence and encouraging them to resume their normal activities.
Most recently my new role is clinical lead for the Continence, Urology and Colorectal Service (CUCS) within LCH where I lead a team of 21 clinicians who specialise in stoma, catheter, bladder, bowel, and continence care. I love my new role as I can remain clinical but with an emphasis for improving patient pathways.