Theresa Porrett is a Nurse Consultant in coloproctology at The Homerton Hospital. She is former chair of the nurses' forum of the association of coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, and past secretary of the RCN gastoenterology and stoma care forum. Anthony McGrath is a Senior lecturer in gastroenterology and stoma care at City University.

'This is an exceptionally good book for the nurse who wants to know the basics of stoma care and is set at an ideal level for any nurse— ward based or community— and the newly appointed stoma care nurse'Gastrointestinal Nursing 'A must for every stoma care department or library.' Gastrointestinal Nursing

• 1. Anatomy and physiology of the bowel and urinary systems. 2. Faecal and urinary stomas and the restorative surgical procedures developed to avoid stoma formation.3. Rationale for stoma formation and common surgical procedures.4. Stoma siting and the role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist.5. The immediate postoperative period.6. Choosing the right stoma appliance.7. Accessories used in stoma care.8. Changing a stoma appliance.9. Discharge planning and supporting patient self-care.10. Questions commonly asked by the patient with a newly formed stoma.11. Understanding chemotherapy and radiotherapy for the individual with a stoma.12. Psychological issues in stoma care.