Wound Care and Stoma Maintenance: Why Having a Community Nurse Matters

If your child or loved one has a gastrostomy or other type of stoma, you already know how much care and attention it takes to keep it clean, safe, and functioning well. A stoma is not just a medical device — it’s a vital part of daily life that supports nutrition, medication, and overall wellbeing.

But what happens when something changes? When there’s a bit of redness, a funny smell, or you’re just not sure what’s normal anymore?

This is where a community nurse can make all the difference — helping you avoid unnecessary emergency department visits and giving you the confidence to manage issues early, safely, and at home.

The Importance of Preventative Care

Stoma and wound-related complications are among the most common reasons for avoidable hospital visits in children and adults with enteral feeds. These include:

• Redness or swelling

• Granulation tissue (extra tissue growth)

• Dislodged or leaking tubes

• Localised infections or skin breakdown

While some of these issues can feel urgent, many can be safely managed at home when you have the right guidance and a responsive care plan in place.

How a Community Nurse Can Help

At Kalkoup Community Care, our Clinical Nurse Consultants work directly with families to monitor, manage, and maintain gastrostomy and stoma sites. Our support includes:

• Routine checks and reviews to catch concerns early

• On-the-spot troubleshooting for issues like leakage or infection

• Granulation tissue management and dressing changes

• Education and hands-on training for families and support workers

• Written care plans and escalation pathways, so you know when to act and when you can treat at home

Instead of waiting until a problem becomes severe enough for the ED, your community nurse is just a call away — often able to come to your home or link in virtually to assess, reassure, or treat.

Preventing Hospital Trips Means Protecting Family Life

We know how exhausting and disruptive hospital trips can be — especially if you’re managing multiple appointments, school routines, or other family responsibilities. By having a nurse who knows your child, their history, and their stoma site, you gain a layer of protection and peace of mind.

Early intervention through community nursing can:

• Prevent infection or skin breakdown

• Reduce stress and panic around new or unexpected symptoms

• Avoid long waits in busy emergency departments

• Build your confidence in managing care at home

Empowering Families With Practical Skills

Our role isn’t just to do the care for you — it’s to empower you to feel confident in doing it yourself. That’s why our wound and stoma care support includes:

• Teaching dressing changes and cleaning techniques

• Identifying signs of infection or issues early

• Giving you clear, simple guidance on what to look for — and what to do

• Supporting schools and carers in delivering safe day-to-day care

Whether your child has a long-term gastrostomy or a more complex stoma, we provide consistent, friendly, and practical nursing support that fits into your family’s life.

You Don’t Have to Do It Alone.

At Kalkoup Community Care, we believe healthcare should come to you — not the other way around. Our nurses build strong, respectful relationships with families to make sure you feel supported, not overwhelmed.

If your family is dealing with ongoing wound or stoma care, and you’re tired of feeling unsure or reactive, a community nurse could change everything.

Reach out to us to find out how Kalkoup Community Care can support your family — at home, at school, and in partnership with your allied health team.