Latest News
National Launch
The National Launch Evening of Ostomy Lifestyle, on the 29th May, was a great success, with dignitaries, charities, stoma care specialists and businesses representatives all coming together to celebrate this exciting new charity. more..
Attend Awards
Ostomy Lifestyle were proud to be finalists at the recent Attend South East Awards ceremony.
Ostomy Lifestyle have established and developed an independent, free and overall positive telephone helpline service for anyone affected by bowel or bladder surgery. This service is operated by volunteers who have all had stoma surgery themselves, and who undergo extensive training and supervision. This is the first of its kind and fills the broad gap between the NHS and patients associations.
Judges comments: "An Innovative Project providing a Helpline manned by volunteers. An excellent model of good practice challenging stigma. Commended!" www.attend.org.uk
Breakaway 2008
Organisers Rachel Clarkson and Julie Bastin never thought they could better the first Breakaway weekend, but they are just recovering from Breakaway 08 which saw twice as many children with bladder/bowel diversions enjoy a weekend of climbing, canoeing and archery at YHA National Forest.
The whole idea of Breakaway is to show people with stomas of any kind that they can do anything they want, and this year was no exception. With ages ranging from 4 years to adult it was an opportunity to enjoy activities, share stories, have fun and make lifelong friends. “This has been a fabulous weekend. It’s been great for both children and adults” said one of the parents.
“We all share a common ground and it is fabulous to be able to swap stories and experiences”
Children that were scared of getting wet in the canoe soon started to splash each other with paddles and left all their fears on dry land. That is what Breakaway is all about.
Next year Breakaway will be at YHA Broad Haven, South Wales. For full details see the website www.breakaway-visit.co.uk or email break.away@tiscali.co.uk
Department Of Health Consultation
The British Healthcare Trades Association has called on the Department of Health to halt its consultation on stoma and incontinence and listen to the concerns of patient charities and manufacturers.
BHTA President Graham Collyer said “From the outset this consultation has been seriously flawed as it was published without an assessment of the impact it would have on patient care. Even though they have not conducted the Impact Assessment required by law, government officials plan to make recommendations to Ministers this week”
Patient charities expressed concern as the government prepared to launch its seventh consultation on stoma and incontinence, at a mounting cost - £2.25 million to date. “Could this be the longest consultation in history? So much time has been spent arguing over short term costs but almost no consideration appears to have been paid to securing long term value for patients” said Neil Basil, Chief Executive of Ostomy Lifestyle.
The consultation, with a risk assessment, will run for 12 weeks, and you will be able to find information as it is available at www.dh.gov.uk
Colondar
Their method may raise eyebrows, but for the fourth year in a row The Colon Club has brought together a group of young cancer survivors to raise awareness in a provocative but educational calendar known as the Colondar.
The 2008 Colondar features six men and seven women that have survived colorectal cancer. Each month features a photograph of an ordinary person with an extraordinary story of survival, all of whom were considered “too young” to have colorectal cancer. The stories are as unique as the individuals. Rebecca’s family history led to her diagnosis and ostomy surgery at just 25. Suzie, a gastroenterology nurse, was shocked to be in the same position as some of her patients when she was diagnosed at 37. By showing their scars and sharing their personal stories, the models hope they will save lives by proving that colorectal cancer can happen to anyone at any age. www.colondar.com
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