Nursing · Discharge letter · Task 3

New stoma care at home

You are a surgical ward nurse at Riverside Hospital. Today is 24 September 2026. Using the case notes, write a discharge letter to Ms Beth Cooper, Stoma Care Nurse, Riverside Community Team, 5 Wharf Lane, Fairford. Arrange home teaching and confirm ongoing pouch supplies. Write approximately 180-200 words in the body of your letter.

Patient: Joanne Vale, born 18 November 1978

Case notes

• N01Patient: Joanne Vale; temporary ileostomy formed 16 September; discharge today; surgical review 2 October.
• N02Current: manages emptying pouch independently; needs prompts to measure template and fit a new pouch; surrounding skin intact on today’s review.
• N03Care plan: home visit within 48 hours to observe pouch change and reinforce supplied skin-care instructions; report concerns through surgical discharge route.
• N04Supplies: seven days of pouches provided; ongoing supplier registration submitted but delivery not confirmed; check supply arrangement.
• N05Communication: anxious about leakage when outside home; would like private practice before partner participates; partner willing to help; patient has not yet agreed to partner training.
• N06Teaching: written guide and contact numbers supplied; patient can locate urgent contact number; no request for medication changes.
• N07Home: lives with partner; bathroom on ground floor; transport home arranged.
• N08Other: works as bookkeeper; prefers blue clothing; brought several magazines to ward.