Patients in Norfolk and Suffolk with a Colostomy, Ileostomy or Urostomy are being invited to join the James Paget Ostomy Support Group.
The group – which has been established for almost 35 years – aims to provide advice and support to stoma patients living in both counties, and to provide an opportunity to meet up with others on a regular basis.
The independent and locally based Ostomy Support Group was formed in 1989, with the help of the then Consultant Surgeon Hugh Sturzaker, stoma patients and Stoma Care Nurses, to advise and support patients of all ages and their partner/families before and after stoma surgery.
Today the group meets every three months – in January, April, July and October - for a social evening, which can include educational talks or information sessions and visits from ostomy companies to show the stoma products and accessories available, and gather for other event days whenever they wish. The group is run by a committee who are voted in by its members each year.
A colorectal surgeon and Stoma Nurses provide support to the group, which meets at Gorleston Golf Club on Warren Road off Links Road, Gorleston. The venue means parking is free, and a bar is accessible, and the meetings include light bites and tea/ coffee, with donations to assist with catering accepted but not essential. The evening are usually 6.30pm for a 7pm start and they run until around 9pm – 9.30pm.
Sheila Howlett, who is a former stoma nurse who is the current group secretary, said new members were welcome.
“Our next meeting is being held at Gorleston Golf Club from 6.30pm on Thursday 18 July and if you have a Colostomy, Ileostomy or Urostomy we would love you to come and join us. This is an opportunity to talk to others who live with a stoma and to make new friends as well finding out more about the help and support available.”
If you would like any further information please contact Sheila by emailing hshowlett@aol.com or call 01493 600934.
