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.
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Birmingham IA 12 days ago |
Reminder: Only few places left to attend free Birmingham IA Information day event, on 11 May 2024. All welcome. Please register your booking by 20 April 2024, at the latest. Contact details below 
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Birmingham IA 13 days ago |
Another great Social on Friday, this time in Sutton. We were joined by many members including Keith Kightley who came along in his official T-shirt and told the meeting about the London Landmarks Half Marathon he completed on 7th April to raise funds for IA. He brought his winners medal and everyone congratulated him with a round of applause, he has raised £1800 so far!!! We were also joined by Roy Bustin (Group Relationship Lead for National IA) who is helping to connect local groups and National IA.
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Birmingham IA 18 days ago |
Free Birmingham IA event on 11 May 2024, at the Voco St John's Hotel, in Solihull. Book early to reserve your place. Meet people living with a #stoma #pouch. Great speakers, topics from skin care, hydration, research projects & more. See booking details belowThankyou to our sponsor \u0040SaltsHealthcare
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Birmingham IA 23 days ago |
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Birmingham IA 23 days ago |
Join us for Birmingham IA Information day, on 11 May 2024. Please see comments for programme and booking details. Only 5 weeks to go, please book early to reserve your free place #stoma #ileostomy #internalpouch
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Birmingham IA 24 days ago |
We're delighted too to have the incredible Gill Castle at our event 
For booking information, please DM for details
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Birmingham IA 25 days ago |
News flash: We are excited to reveal that Gill Castle is our inspirational guest speaker at Birmingham information day event, on 11 May 2024 #stoma chameleon
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Birmingham IA 31 days ago |
Birmingham IA information day details to be revealed soon... Watch this space 
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Birmingham IA 38 days ago |
Are you joining us for our meet the nurses zoom? Taking place Thursday 21st March at 7.30pm where we will be joined by specialist Stoma Care Nurses; Nikki Jennings (Good Hope Hospital), Becky Billingsley (Heartlands Hospital) and Owen Dunham (Queen Elizabeth Hospital). So if you have any questions about stoma or internal pouch care, this is your chance to ask the experts!
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Birmingham IA 43 days ago |
Don't miss out on early bird ticket offer, which ends soon. Places still available to attend popular annual event #GetYourBellyOut
