Diana Hayes lives and works in Melbourne, Australia. Diana is a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) and a Graduate Diploma in Healing Therapies. She is currently studying at The University of Melbourne for her Master of Advanced Nursing Practice to gain Nurse Practitioner endorsement.

After completing the certificate course in Stomal Therapy Nursing in 1998, Diana was appointed the full time role as Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) in Stomal Therapy at a teaching health network in Melbourne, in 2001. In 2007 Diana was fully credentialed by the Australian Association of Stomal Therapy Nurses (AASTN).

Diana sits on the Australian Department of Health & Ageing - Stoma Products Assessment Panel (SPAP), in Canberra. She is the Editor of the Journal of Stomal Therapy Australia (JSTA) and is on the Executive Committee of the AASTN.

Diana is in demand at corporate level to present at company conferences as well as to teach medical students and run study days for nurses. Diana also acts as mentor for Stomal Therapy students studying at the College of Nursing.

Diana’s role involves teaching people with stomas how to manage all aspects of stoma care. Working alongside the colorectal surgeons, Diana is considered to be an integral part of the colorectal team approach to managing often very complex colorectal patients. She is a very competent, diligent and enthusiastic team member. Stomal patients have often suffered great illness. Diana is able to connect with these patients in a way that transcends the normal patient-carer relationship.

Diana’s publications have appeared in the Australian Nursing Journal (ANJ) and JSTA. She has received awards for her papers on Pigtail Drain Tubes and Managing a Low Residue Diet.

Realising that there was limited information available for people in the community with newly acquired stomas, Diana set out to produce a practical guide in the form of an easy to understand manual. The response from within Australia was overwhelming. The Stoma Care Manual is now available worldwide.