Forward Health is wound and stoma care facility, We wish to share our latest information, promotions and lifestyle changing product guides.
09/10/2025
Stoma Care Tip: Healthy Skin = Confident Living
The skin around your stoma (peristomal skin) is just as important as the stoma itself. If it becomes irritated, sore, or broken, it can lead to leaks, discomfort, and infections.
Here are 3 quick tips to protect your skin:
1️⃣ Gently cleanse with warm water, avoid harsh soaps or wipes with alcohol
2️⃣ Always dry thoroughly before applying your appliance
3️⃣ Use a barrier film or seal if you're prone to irritation
🚫 Common mistake: Using products that leave residue, it can prevent your bag from sticking properly.
Everyone’s skin is different, that’s why personalised care matters.
📍 Visit our offices in Plettenberg Bay www.forwardhealth.co.za
What'sApp 064 546 6845 to book a consultation.
07/10/2025
🩹 Did you know your body heals in stages, not all at once?
Whether it’s a small cut or a complex chronic wound, healing follows a powerful biological process. Understanding each stage helps you know what’s normal and when it’s time to seek help.
The 4 Stages of Wound Healing:
1️⃣ Hemostasis: The bleeding stops
2️⃣ Inflammation: Your body fights infection
3️⃣ Proliferation: New tissue starts to grow
4️⃣ Maturation: The final stage where skin strengthens & remodels
Every wound is unique, and so is every healing journey.
At Forward Health, we guide and support you through each stage with personalised care.
📍 Visit our offices in Plettenberg Bay www.forwardhealth.co.za
What'sApp 064 546 6845 to book a consultation.
02/10/2025
Diabetic foot ulcers are one of the most common, and preventable, chronic wounds we treat at Forward Health.
What starts as a small blister or sore can quickly become serious without the right care. Left untreated, these wounds can lead to infection, hospitalisation, or even amputation.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
✅ Daily foot checks
✅ Proper footwear
✅ Prompt treatment of cuts or sores
✅ Regular check-ins with a wound care specialist
These simple steps can make a world of difference.
If you or a loved one has diabetes and notices redness, swelling, or a slow-healing wound on the foot, don’t wait. Early treatment can prevent complications and support faster healing. 💛
📍 Visit our offices in Plettenberg Bay www.forwardhealth.co.za
What'sApp 064 546 6845 to book a consultation.
02/10/2025
✈️ Traveling with a stoma? Here’s what to pack!
Whether you're heading out for a weekend away or a longer holiday, preparation is key, especially when managing a stoma.
From extra supplies to emergency must-haves, we’ve put together a quick, practical checklist to help you travel with comfort and confidence.
✅ No stress
✅ No surprises
✅ Just smooth travels ahead
Swipe to see the full list 👉
📍 Visit our offices in Plettenberg Bay www.forwardhealth.co.za
What'sApp 064 546 6845 to book a consultation.
26/09/2025
From wounds to wellness, we help you move forward. 💙
Whether you're managing a chronic wound, living with a stoma, or seeking support for incontinence or swelling, you're not alone.
✨ Personalised care
✨ Expert support
✨ Local, compassionate healing
📍 Visit our offices in Plettenberg Bay www.forwardhealth.co.za
What'sApp 064 546 6845 to book a consultation.
25/09/2025
Did you know?
A stoma should not be painful.
Pain, irritation, or discomfort around your stoma may be a sign of:
1) Skin breakdown
2) An ill-fitting appliance
3) Possible infection
✨ The good news?
You don’t have to manage it alone. At Forward Health, we specialize in stoma assessments, care, and finding the right products that work for you.
📍 Visit our offices in Plettenberg Bay www.forwardhealth.co.za
What'sApp 064 546 6845 to book a consultation.
23/09/2025
Swollen legs? Heavy, aching feet?
These symptoms could be more than just tiredness, they may signal poor circulation or lymphatic issues.
🩺 At Forward Health, we offer medical-grade compression therapy to support your vascular health and reduce swelling.
✨ Our team will measure and fit you for the correct compression garment to ensure comfort, safety, and effectiveness.
Whether it’s for varicose veins, post-op swelling, or chronic conditions,
👉 We’re here to help.
📍 Visit our offices in Plettenberg Bay www.forwardhealth.co.za
WhatsApp 064 546 6845 to book a consultation.
19/09/2025
Healing isn’t just physical, it’s emotional, personal, and often, overwhelming. 💙
At Forward Health, we walk alongside you with dignity, compassion, and expertise. Whether you’re living with a chronic wound, adjusting to a stoma, or managing incontinence, you don’t have to do it alone.
You deserve care that sees you, not just your condition.
✨ Let’s build your care plan together.
📍 Visit our offices in Plettenberg Bay www.forwardhealth.co.za
What'sApp 064 546 6845 to book a consultation.
18/09/2025
You shouldn’t have to stress about running out of the essentials. We stock a wide range of high-quality stoma and incontinence supplies, right here in Knysna & Plettenberg Bay.
The top 3 stoma supplies that we advocate for (irrespective of brand):
✅ Soft convex base plates: For better and softer seal on your skin
✅ Barrier Seals: To ensure no leakage under the plate, boosting confidence in the product
✅ Lubricating Deodorant - Assisting with any foul odours and soothing peristomal irritation
We have options in all major brands including Coloplast, Hollister and Eakin.
Whether you’re managing your routine or just need a top-up, we’ve got you covered, quietly and quickly.
📍 Visit our offices in Plettenberg Bay www.forwardhealth.co.za
What'sApp 064 546 6845 to book a consultation.
16/09/2025
Wound care isn’t just about cleaning and covering, it’s about healing the right way. 🩹
Every week, we see patients who’ve unintentionally slowed their recovery by making small but critical mistakes.
➡️ Swipe through to learn:
Healing doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Let’s do it right from the start. 💙
📍 Visit our offices in Plettenberg Bay www.forwardhealth.co.za
What'sApp 064 546 6845 to book a consultation.
11/09/2025
Healing isn’t always quick, and that’s okay.
Whether you're recovering from surgery, managing a chronic wound, or learning to live with a stoma, remember: your journey is uniquely yours. Some days will feel easier than others, and that's part of the process.
💙 At Forward Health, we’re here to support both your physical healing and emotional well-being, every step of the way.
Take it one day at a time.
You’re not alone.
📍 Visit our offices in Plettenberg Bay www.forwardhealth.co.za
What'sApp 064 546 6845 to book a consultation.
09/09/2025
Using Betadine on open wounds might feel like the right thing to do, but it can actually slow down healing.
While it kills bacteria, it can also harm the healthy cells your body needs to repair the wound properly.
At Forward Health, we focus on advanced wound care that protects your healing tissue, reduces infection risk, and supports faster recovery.
👉 If a wound isn’t healing or keeps getting worse, it’s time to get expert help.
📍 Visit our offices in Plettenberg Bay www.forwardhealth.co.za
What’sApp 064 546 6845 to book a consultation.
Address
3A Medway Center, Muller Street Plettenberg Bay 6600
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The only way to start a good story is by starting at the end. The story of Forward Health encapsulates the essence of progression and that the end is never truly the end but rather midway to an always changing goal. This does not mean we do not aim to achieve but rather reevaluate the best chosen outcome frequently so that our colleagues, patients and friends always receive the benefit of our actions. To start would be to define our service industry and services: We aim to provide personal wound care, stoma care and lifestyle nutrition services within the Plettenberg Bay and Garden Route region. Our services include wound/stoma care in-hospital, in-room or home care as well as nutrition and lifestyle services.
The history of Forward Health is a love story from the heavens. God-intertwined creation into the constant progressing business it is today. Let us go back to 2016, the cold month of July and find ourselves in the corridors of Plettenberg Bay MediClinic. The patient - Eben Niemann in dire pain and distress after a second rupture of his colon 24 hours after his first chemotherapy session. The operation was set for disaster knowing septicemia has been rampant in already compromised body. Eben was set for theater and after a grueling operation returned with much of his colon removed, a new colostomy and fistula, and according to oncology - no real sense of survival. The recovery process in hospital formulated the divine meeting of Sr Yolandi de Hoog. The process of finding love in a hopeless place promised more than could be imagined. Unfortunately, after Eben’s discharge from hospital put the amazing chemistry on hold. Eben had to go home and recover and Sr Yolandi back to work. The relationship was put on hold due to other love interests and complications.
Eben was forced into broadening his vision and was introduced to a naturopath by the name of Dr Chris de Beer. Dr Chris used blood analysis and dietary supplements to help Eben break the spell of cancer and achieved full recovery and remission by the January of 2017. During this time he was undergoing severe 8 hour sessions of chemotherapy every 3 weeks. It is important to note that without faith in God’s promise of life, Eben would not be here right now.
Meanwhile back in Plettenberg Bay - Sr Yolandi de Hoog hard at work as senior nurse at the young age of 26 in MediClinic, was approached by a doctor to open her own wound care clinic. The idea lay dormant for a while but after stress levels and a underlying growing love for Eben, the idea could not be contained no longer.
Eben Niemann achieved full recovery after 8 sessions of Chemotheraphy and a big lifestyle changes as indicated by Dr Chris de Beer. February 10th (Friday) of 2017, Eben was scheduled for a reversal of his stoma and fistula. As he walked into MediClinic that Friday morning, Sr Yolandi saw him and burst into tears. The two met with a hug and no words were shared because they knew things were going to get better.
Eben went into theater and about 2 hours later a successful operation saw Eben walk out with a 2nd chance at life. The recovery over the process of weekend seemed okay until Monday morning arrived. Something seemed off. Visitors noticed something but never could identify what was wrong. The eve of the 13th saw temperature spikes, nausea spells and a lot of pain for Eben. Early Tuesday morning, his parents were called for a turn for the worst. The pain of 52 cold clamps in stomach shaking uncontrollably due to a possible internal leakage was at hand. Rushed off for scans and observation found that a spontaneous burst in the duodenum set Eben off back to theater. Unfortunately there was a waiting list for emergency procedures and was put under severe sedation for the rest of the day. The evening broke and after 7 hours in theater, Eben’s life had been saved supernaturally. The doctors even admitted that it was out of there hands at one point. During the procedure Eben experienced a promise from God in the supernatural realm that his future is in Plettenberg Bay, his soulmate there as well as and that he was destined to help others.
After many months of planning, Forward Health was born and a relationship. The idea was formulated for the bringing a 360 degree to healthcare. The importance of combining a holistic view to health care really made sense because of the history of Eben and Sr Yolandi had shared. Eben has enrolled to do his wellness studies through Synergetica Academy and Sr Yolandi took on the roll of wound and stoma care. By the combined knowledge of their respective fields, and outside help when needed - they are able to give the best possible care in the Plettenberg Bay area.
