Constipation and Blockages with a Stoma: What’s Normal and When to Get Help

Constipation and Blockages with a Stoma: What’s Normal and When to Get Help

In partnership with Coloplast.

Date: Tuesday 24th November 2026
Time: 1pm – 2pm
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
Cost: Free to attend

Constipation and blockages can be worrying for people living with a stoma, particularly if you’re unsure what’s normal, what might be causing your symptoms or when to seek help. Understanding the signs, knowing how to reduce your risk and recognising when something isn’t right can help you feel more confident in managing your stoma.

Join Rachel Atkins, Stoma Specialist Nurse, for a practical and reassuring session exploring why constipation and blockages can happen, the signs to look out for and steps you can take to help prevent them. Rachel will also explain what you can safely manage at home, when to seek medical advice and how to reduce the risk of future problems.

We’ll cover:

• What’s normal? Understanding your stoma and digestion
• Constipation: why it happens and how to prevent it
• Could it be a blockage? Signs to look out for
• Practical steps you can take at home
• Knowing when to get help
• Living confidently and reducing future risks
• Live Q&A

We’ll also be joined by someone with lived experience of constipation and blockages, who will share their personal journey of managing it and what worked for them.

Who is it for?

Anyone living with a colostomy or ileostomy who would like to better understand constipation and blockages, recognise the warning signs and learn how to reduce their risk. The session may also be helpful for people preparing for stoma surgery, as well as family members, carers and others supporting someone with a stoma.

About the Speaker

Rachel Atkins is a Stoma Specialist Nurse working within the James Paget University Hospital acute trust and the Great Yarmouth and Waveney community services on behalf of Coloplast. A Registered Adult Nurse with over 8 years of nursing experience, Rachel has developed her expertise through progressive roles in acute nursing, oncology, colorectal care, head and neck cancer services, and most recently as a Regional Genomics Practitioner.

Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Adult Nursing and a qualification in Cytotoxic Chemotherapy: Principles, Management and Care. She is passionate about delivering high-quality patient-centred care and supporting individuals to adapt to life following stoma surgery. Rachel is also committed to professional development and education and has had clinical posters accepted and displayed at the Association of Stoma Care Nurses (ASCN) Conference in both 2025 and 2026.

Outside of work, Rachel lives with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys spending quality time with family and friends and can often be found out walking with her much-loved Cockapoo.

Find out more and book your free place.

We look forward to welcoming you.