Right from the start : a programme for Stoma Care.

The film starts with a sequence of a light aircraft in flight doing manouevres; this introduces us to a patient who testifies about the ease in which he is using a stoma. A dancer also provides testimony; she had a colostomy and awoke needing a a colostomy bag. John Talbot, surgeon, Harold Wood Hospital, narrates an operation on the bowel preparing it for the stoma. The diseased bowel is discarded. Medical graphics illustrate the procedure. Talbot observes that it is the job of the post-operative staff to assist in the management of a healthy stoma. A female clinician briefs student nurses in the care of a stoma bag post-operatively. A slide show illustrates some problems which confront the stoma nurse; they are shown pre- and post-treatment. More detail is given regarding the siting of the stoma. Patients on the sound track describe their experiences. They describe the specialist stoma products which have liberated their lives. Tom W. Sturgeon, chairman of the Ileostomy Association, talks about the history of the organisation and how the association was established by clinicians to help their patients in their everyday lives as well as the day-to-day care of their stoma. Sue Ryder attends one of their AGMs. The AGM is shot by Dr Simon Nicholas; the chair asks people to smile when the camera turns their way. One of the pressing questions raised by the attendees about sexual satisfaction after the operation (answered by Mr York Mason). Ian Todd, St Bartholomew's Hospital, comments on the anxiety from patients pre-operatively. Mrs Joyce Parsons, a stoma nurse at Harold Wood Hospital, talks to a patient about his operation; she has had a stoma for 18 years. She reassures a younger male patient. Professor Bryan Brooke, founder and president of the Ileostomy Association comments about the continuing care provided by the health services. The dancers and pilot from the start comment on how well they now feel and how little the stoma affects their lives.