Patients with Stoma Bags Worried About Nurse Shortage

Topic: Health

Saturday, 8 August 2026, at 9:10 am

David and Paula Platt say there are not enough stoma nurses in Mount Gambier.

In short:

Stoma nurses help patients with special bags.

The city of Mount Gambier lost its two full-time stoma nurses.

What's next?

Regional advocates say stoma nurses are very important for patients.

David Platt did not know what to do after his surgery.

He had prostate cancer that spread to his bladder.

He had to have surgery to remove his bladder.

Mr. Platt said, 'I looked down and thought, What do I do?'

A stoma nurse at the hospital helped Mr. Platt.

Mr. Platt says having a stoma nurse nearby is very helpful.

He said, 'She said, Look, you've mastered it, you can do it yourself now.'

Mr. Platt sees his stoma bag as a part of his body.

But getting to that point takes time and help.

Mr. Platt tries to help others with stoma bags.

The medical help that Mr. Platt got is now in danger.

Mount Gambier used to have two full-time stoma nurses.

Recruitment troubles

Over 200 people in the region have stoma bags.

Mr. Platt runs the region's stoma support group.

Urostomy bags collect urine, and colostomy bags collect stool.

People often say 'stoma bag' for both types.

Mr. Platt said that serious problems need a specialist nurse.

David and Paula Platt run the support group.

Some women had to go to Adelaide for help.

It's hard for them to travel, especially since they are old.

The hospital is looking for a new stoma nurse.

The two previous nurses left for other jobs.

The hospital CEO said they are trying to find a new nurse.

The hospital is the largest in regional South Australia.

The hospital is training other staff to help with stoma care.

Some staff went to Adelaide for workshops.

The hospital is working with agencies to find a temporary nurse.

The hospital wants to provide good stoma care.

Nurse training call

A politician talked about the issue in parliament.

He said nursing schools should teach stoma care.

He asked if local nurses could get more training.

The politician wants a better system for stoma care.

He said having more nurses trained could help.

The course to become a stoma nurse takes a year and costs $14,000.

Mr. Platt said some health staff do not know about stomas.

Mount Gambier has only one part-time stoma nurse now.

Mr. Platt helped a new nurse learn about stoma care.

The nurse said she had never seen a stoma before.

Importance of community

A woman helped get a permanent stoma nurse in her area.

She had to go to Adelaide for help after her surgery.

She got a stoma after bowel surgery.

She said she was worried about her stoma.

Having a stoma can make you feel antisocial.

The area got a permanent stoma nurse in 2021.

Newspaper articles show the community's push for a stoma nurse.

The woman said the stoma nurse made a big difference.

She said they talk about things that might be embarrassing.

But it's common for them to talk about these things.

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