ACT & DISTRICTS STOMA ASSOCIATION INC.

SECOND FLOOR, ACT COMMUNITY CARE BUILDING 
CNR MOORE AND ALINGA STREETS, CANBERRA CITY ACT 
GPO BOX 1260, CANBERRA ACT 2601.   
PHONE/FAX 02-6205 1055 
E-MAIL Address: • actstoma@alphalink.com.au

 


 NEW MEMBER INFORMATION SHEET


ROLE AND SERVICES

The ACT & Districts Stoma Association Inc. which is affiliated with the Australian Council of Stoma Associations, is a voluntary, non profit organisation formed to further the mutual interests and welfare of its members (colostomates, ileostomates and urostomates). The Association provides the following services to its members:

•     The provision of the most reliable and efficient appliances and relevant
pharmaceutical products available within the inventory of the Stoma Appliance Scheme;

•     Contact with members to take advantage of practical experience and provide
encouragement to assist new members in re-adjusting to a full and active life.


JOINING THE ASSOCIATION

•     Close contact is maintained between Stomal Therapy Nurses (STNs), and the
Association to ensure that people who have undergone surgery resulting in a STOMA are provided with information in relation to our Association. Usually hospital-based STNs will visit ostomates in hospital as soon as possible after the operation to initiate the process of an application for membership of our Association. Ostomates who are unlikely to be resident in Canberra or within the District served by the Association will be put in contact with a more convenient Association to service their needs.


• The Association issues each member with a Medicare Australia entitlement card. The applicant retains this card and the sequence number thereon will be used by both the Association and Medicare Australia for recording and monitoring the supply of products and appliances to each member. The entitlement card is recognised and accepted by all registered Stoma Associations throughout Australia and entitles members of the ACT & Districts Association to receive supplies, that are due, from any other Registered Association.


SELECTION OF APPLIANCE

Prior to surgery patients who are likely to become ostomates will be visited by a hospital-based STN to site the position of the anticipated STOMA. Following surgery an STN will also visit the ostomate to assist with the selection the most suitable type of appliance and to arrange initial fitting and familiarisation. The needs of ostomates do change, and ongoing advice is available from STNs after discharge from hospital to ensure that current needs are met and that the choice of appliance is that most suited to the physical characteristics and personal taste of each individual member.

ORDERING SUPPLIES

The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing makes available a wide range of both stoma appliances and pharmaceutical supplies for members of the Association. Apart from membership dues and any postage costs (currently $8 per package for members utilising the service) provision and distribution of approved supplies within the authorised quantities is completely free to Association Members.

Not all items requested by members are on the "Free List", and where such items are offered, the Office Manager will advise the relevant member of price and availability. Each item, which is on the "Free List", has a scale of authorised issue which is monitored and rigidly enforced by Medicare Australia. The scale of issue is quite adequate and delivery from suppliers is prompt. Members should not order supplies in excess of their needs. Where, for medical reasons, supplies in excess of the authorised quantity are needed, a Doctor or STN must certify on a Medicare Australia form Confirming the relevant medical circumstances leading to the requirement for increased supplies. The certification must state the number of appliances required and must be renewed every six months if the medical
condition persists.

Members are expected to order their supplies each month to cover in advance their needs for the following month. Wherever practicable, the Association prefers members (or an authorised person) to collect their supplies and to re-order at the room of the Association. Where ordering and supply by post is necessary, an order must be placed upon the Association form which will be included in each package containing the current month's supplies.


Please note that all enquiries concerning supplies should be made to the Office Manager at the Association Room (02) 6205 1055 or by Email, actstoma@alphalink.com .au 

Enquiries of a general nature, which do not relate to supplies, may be addressed to the Association in writing, by telephone, email or fax.

OPENING HOURS

The Association Rooms are open from 10.00 am to 1.00 prn for the issue of supplies on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the first two weeks of each month. The rooms do NOT open on public holidays. Please note that the ACT Community Care Staff in the building have no connection with our Association and are therefore not available for assistance to our members. Although the Association may not be open for normal issues, you can telephone/fax on 02-6205 1055. Should staff not be present, a message can be left on the office answering machine for later attention.

ADVISORY AND EMERGENCY SERVICE
The services of the ACT Department of Health and Community Care STNs are available to Association members for advice and assistance. Appointments with an STN can be made through the ACT Community Care Intake and Referral Unit on 02-6207 9977.