Hi my name is Helen Genaway and my job role is a healthcare assistant at Torbay Hospital Stoma Department.
I joined Torbay Hospital “Allerton Ward” which at that time was an acute colorectal surgical ward in 2000 in May 2005 I joined the Stoma department, This position came about due in the enhanced recovery program.
The HCA job role was to teach and support patients and their families / carers twice daily to give continuity and build up a good rapport with patients getting to understand their needs and requirements, so reducing their stay within the Hospital.
I have a nickname of matron in the colorectal dept as I am fastidious in the way I work (bossy), although my colleagues say it’s because I am a Hatty Jaques in disguise, I have not found a Dr Tinkle as yet !!!!!!
Since being in the dept my role has developed and I do a lot of other things including wound care, distal feeding via a stoma, these are just some of the many things that included in my role, to show patients they are not alone with a stoma as there are quite a few people who have them. I have organised patient parties, support groups, buddy system and recently a fashion show, eight of the models (who were our patients) where wearing very expensive clothing lent to us by a local fashion store.
My moto is “life is for living and the patient is my priority”. I love the job that I do and working one to one with the patients.
