It is estimated that 148,886 people are living with a stoma in England, and around 21,000 people have stoma surgery each year.

A common, usually preventable complication associated with having a stoma is poor skin health, called a Peristomal Skin Complication (PSC). 

Frontier’s recent study, commissioned by Hollister Incorporated, a developer and manufacturer of ostomy products, explores the impact of PSCs in England.

We carried out a Cost-of-Illness analysis to estimate the cost of PSCs in England each year. We included healthcare costs to the NHS and non-financial costs due to individuals’ reduced quality of life, which have been valued in monetary terms for comparison. Costs are reported in 2021/22 prices.

We estimate that the total cost of PSCs in England each year is £28.1m, of which £16.4m are healthcare costs to the NHS and £11.7m are non-financial quality of life losses to individuals with PSCs. This is based on an average cost per PSC of £396 and 71,009 PSCs per year.

The costs of PSCs across England are significant. However, these costs could be reduced by:

• Avoiding PSCs: Our analysis suggests that each PSC avoided could avoid an average of £396 in costs to individuals and the NHS. Additionally, earlier identification and treatment of PSCs might reduce the average severity of PSCs. This could reduce the overall and average cost in England per year.
• Enhancing stoma care nurse  access: Our analysis suggests that any delay in receiving treatment leads to additional costs. Ensuring people with PSCs have access to the information, products and NHS services they need will reduce the costs to individuals and the NHS

Nick Woolley and Harriet Olorenshaw presented Frontier’s findings at a webinar with Hollister which was organised by the British Journal of Nursing. The webinar also allowed for a broader panel discussion of the findings with participation from patient associations, stoma nurse clinicians and a stoma patient.

Click here to read the full report: SKIN FIRST: COUNTING THE COST OF PERISTOMAL SKIN COMPLICATIONS

Click here to read our work on cost impact of illnesses: 

·       Cost of preventable cancers

·       Cost of asthma 

·       Cost of obesity