Birmingham IA's 2023 Information Day took place on Saturday 20th May, and what a busy day it was! We were delighted to meet so many members who had come to hear a fantastic range of expert speakers on important aspects of health for ileostomists and pouch patients.
As always, we had the customary Birmingham IA raffle, run by Mark Barnes. This year we were fundraising to support the charity Get Your Belly Out.
The day began early with our busy Product Exhibition. We were lucky to be supported by reps from a number of different companies who came to show us the latest products available. At the same time, Miss Melissa Cunha supported the Internal Pouch workshop, where a combination of experienced pouch patients and a couple on the brink of surgery were able to seek advice and information.
During the morning session, we were treated to some very informative presentations: the first was by Pooja Dhir, of City Dietitians, who gave us sound medical advice about foods we should be aiming to eat on a regular basis.
Shelagh Bickerton followed with a fascinating presentation on Kidney health for Ileostomists and pouch patients. As an expert in the fields of both stoma care and kidney health, she warned us of the risks of kidney injury and provided guidance on what we can do to help ourselves, particularly with regard to dehydration, including when we should take ourselves to hospital.
Wendy Osborne provided us with an extremely informative talk on causes and personal risk factors for developing parastomal hernias and again, gave us a wealth of good advice on how to minimise our risks.
Our final speaker was Birmingham IA member, social media influencer and 2nd Black Dan Matt Timmins, who talked at length with his usual good humour about his journey as an ileostomist and his approach to life with a stoma.
The morning's session was rounded off with a lively Question and Answer session in which the audience posed challenging questions to our panel of expert speakers, chaired by Miss Melissa Cunha, colorectal consultant at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
After a delicious buffet lunch provided by Oasis Café, Birmingham IA’s Business meeting was held in the afternoon, and this was followed by “Questions to the President’, during which Miss Cunha took further questions from the members.
We are extremely grateful to all of our expert speakers and the Product suppliers for giving up their time to make this day so successful. And as always, we thank our members for supporting this annual event.
 |
Birmingham IA 4 days ago |
Alex Browning from Dansac will be giving a chat to our members who will be attending Sutton Coldfield Social on Friday 11th July. Chat as not been confirmed as of yet but will be happening on the day please come along all welcome at thr united Reformed church 1 Brassington Avenue Sutton Coldfield B73 6AA 10.30am till 12.30pm. Come along and say hello.
|
Birmingham IA 4 days ago |
I would like to thank Dietician Sophie Turigel from QE hospital for giving up her time and doing the presentation on dietary and hydration advice to our members by zoom this evening very useful and knowledgeable...Hope all who attended enjoyed the presentation and you got some advice that can benefit yourself or anyone who as got a stoma or Pouch.
|
Birmingham IA 5 days ago |
Don't Forget your travel certificate if considering to travel soon and check birmingham ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association to get your travel tips and and if any of our members want one ask a member of our committee for a travel certificate.
|
Birmingham IA 5 days ago |
Hope our members get to check out Sophie Turigel A dietician who works along side Melissa Cunha's team at QE hospital. Well worth getting a presentation on dietary advice for people living with a stoma or a pouch...all members will have recieved the link by now 3rd july 730pm by zoom call. These are one of the things we offer our members a chance to get advice from professional dietician who works with people who have stomas and pouches
|
Birmingham IA 5 days ago |
|
Birmingham IA 5 days ago |
Don't Forget out next social is fast approaching on the 11th July at Sutton Coldfield 10.30am The united Reformed church 1 Brassington Avenue Sutton Coldfield B73 6AA
|
Birmingham IA 5 days ago |
It's good to hear that the awareness is getting out there
|
Birmingham IA 6 days ago |
We attended this event new cross stoma nurse day in wolverhampton
|
Birmingham IA 6 days ago |
Don't Forget The zoom call with Sophie Turigel A interesting presentation on dietary needs for people with ileostomy and pouchies all our members will have the link sent to them 3rd july 730pm...look forward to seeing my of you there
|
Birmingham IA 10 days ago |
This was one of our members and his wife. Tony Mcnicholas and his wife Marie. Tony had been a member with Birmingham IA since 2019 but he sadly passed in may 2025, Tony was a very popular and committed member of our group. Marie always came with Tony to meetings and events. Marie has very kindly donated a sum of money to help Birmingham IA continue providing others with support and a community as Tony found the group helpful for himself and his wife during his time as a member. We are so greatful to Marie and the rest of Tony family and friends for the donation. And I am sure Tony will be sadly missed within the socials and all the members who knew him.
