Frequently Asked Questions & Useful Links
The Integrated Care Board responsible for planning most NHS services in the Surrey Heartlands area, have been looking at how people who use stoma, catheter and/or transanal irrigation products currently receive their prescriptions, and how to support and work alongside the care that people already receive from their local specialist teams. Having all appliance prescriptions provided by a single, centralised service will mean that prescriptions will be authorised by a team of specialist nurses, who will be able to ensure that patients are ordering and using the best products for their particular needs and moves this task away from GPs.
SH APMS is a service provided by Bullen Healthcare on behalf of the Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board. Bullen Healthcare runs NHS stoma, catheter and/or transanal irrigation prescription services in other areas.
You will be asked to confirm your details; this is to make sure that we issue the prescription correctly. You will also be asked some health and product related questions.
The three health and product related questions, related to stoma care, you will be asked are:
- Have you had any problems or concerns with your pouches or the items you receive for your stoma since your last prescription?
- Have you had any sore skin around or near your stoma since your last prescription?
- Have you spoken to or seen a stoma nurse or doctor about your stoma since your last prescription?
The three health and product related questions, related to a urology appliance need, you will be asked are:
- Have you seen a healthcare professional about your urology items since your last prescription?
- Do you have latex allergy?
- Have you had antibiotics for a urine related infection in the last 4 weeks?
You will also be asked to complete a stock-check, this is to ensure that you have sufficient supply at all times but that you don’t end up with an excess stock of products. You will need to check your stock levels before your monthly phone call is due.
If you wish to make a complaint about the SH APMS service or to let us know about something that has gone well, please email us at prescripionservice.bhg@nhs.net alternatively, please call us on Freephone 0800 138 8630.
Your prescription will usually be for one month’s supply of stoma, catheter and/or transanal irrigation products, unless there is a reason you need more product, such as going on holiday.
It is easy to just ask for a repeat prescription, but patients don’t always need the same amount of products every month. By doing a monthly stock check you will only ever order exactly what you need, and any problems that you might be experiencing can be picked up quickly and referred to one of our specialist stoma or urology nurses.
Yes, you can. You are still able to seek advice from your local specialist teams regarding your stoma, catheter, transanal irrigation and any associated healthcare needs. However, all prescriptions for stoma, catheter and/or transanal irrigation products and appliances will need to be issued by the SH APMS service.
Yes, the service has been set up to support and work alongside the care that people using stoma, urology and transanal irrigation products already receive from their local specialist teams.
The service is not about cutting costs but about providing the best care and service to patients who are using stoma, catheter and/or transanal irrigation products.
You will always be able to order the products that are appropriate for your clinical needs. Changes to your current prescription will only be made following a review with a stoma/urology nurse.
