News Archives - J Pouch support charity

New FAQs page on website and more speed!

Visit our new FAQs page for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions from people with, or considering J Pouch surgery.

You can find the link to it on the menu bar at the top of the screen on a PC, or in the drop down menu on a phone. See image below.

On a smart phone, click on the horizonal lines at the top right corner to see the menu bar.

You can also find it at this URL: pouchsupport.org/faqs/

In other website news, we have upgraded the service with our internet service provider, and hopefully you should be experiencing this in much improved response time.

How one pouchee maintains good pouch function

The banker with the magic touch – how one pouchee maintains good pouch function

It was some upsetting news from his consultant that prompted Ben Barbanel, a City banker and Red Lion Group member, to launch his own unique pouch treatment plan to maintain good pouch function. Did it work? Read on and you’ll find out….

Have you heard the one about the five-year pouchcare plan? You haven’t – well have a word with Red Lion Group member and pouchee Ben Barbanel and he will tell you all about it.

As Ben says: “I am delighted and proud to tell my friends, colleagues and fellow pouchees about the self-discovered regime I have put together over the past five years by taking little snippets of advice and help from a wide and varied array of different sources.”

So what exactly are Ben’s sources? They are two Facebook sites: the J-pouch support group (UK specific) which is hosted by the Red Lion Group (RLG), and the US-based Facebook pouch support group; RLG’s monthly Zoom-led personal advice forums; and the “wonderful pouch nurses” and medical staff at St Mark’s Hospital, says the City banker.

In fact Ben’s story begins in 2002, when after a spell of ulcerative colitis (UC), he had a full colectomy followed by an ileorectal anastomosis¹ in 2003 done by the legend John Nicholls.

He had “no issues at all until 2018” when pre-cancerous cells were discovered in the lining of his rectum. Those tests also marked the birth of Ben’s five-year plan.

Following medical advice, Ben’s rectum was accordingly removed. “I was so lucky to then have a one-step pouch made and connected by the talented lead consultant surgeon at St Mark’s, Janindra Warusavitarne.” [Janindra is an RLG patron].

Post-op Ben heard the first two pointers of his pouchcare plan. “St Mark’s consultant nurse, Zarah Perry-Woodford, told me that, as a pouchee, if I ate the same cheese sandwich every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, my output would be different each time I went to the loo”. The second was when Ben’s pouchcare team said that – realistically – it would take him up to five years to see the “full working effects and stabilisation” of his pouch. Prophetic words indeed!

Here then are the highlights of Ben’s successful formula:

Six days a week he takes two sachets of Vivomixx probiotic – “I understand this is effectively the original De Simone formula that was most extensively trialled and tested for its efficacy in the treatment of IBD, IBS etc. (source : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Simone_Formulation)” he says.

Ben takes one 400mg capsule of potent green tea extract daily – “I see this is routinely recommended in the US by a leading pouch gastroenterologist,” he says. ² (see footnote)

He uses a warm water enema most times he visits the toilet – if convenient – to “completely empty my pouch. I always do this last thing at night before I go to bed and it enables me to sleep uninterrupted for probably five out of seven nights a week.”

Finally, Ben uses a Medena catheter after the enema to make sure the pouch is completely empty.

Says Ben: “I’m certain that this regime has given me a healthy pouch, with not one bout of pouchitis since the pouch’s formation. It also enables me to control my bowel motions very easily. My consultant is always very happy with how the pouch looks when I have an endoscopy, and is also very happy with my regime.”

As Ben somewhat sagely points out: “This is just one patient’s testimony and clearly doesn’t constitute medical advice and, while I am not a doctor or nurse or in any way medically qualified, this regime seems to work very well for me. And I would always recommend discussing any changes to your own regimes or plans with your medical team. Good luck fellow pouchees!”

And how will Ben celebrate his five-year pouchee-versary? Uniquely, of course. In September this year he and Janindra Warusavitarne will deliver a lecture titled“What do the public expect from surgeons” at the European Society of Coloproctology’s annual conference in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius.

(You can read their report in the Winter 2023 issue of Roar!)

FOOTNOTES

¹ ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) is a surgical procedure which involve removing part or all of the colon (the large intestine) and joining the ileum (the last part of the small intestine) to the rectum. Refer https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/ileorectal-anastomosis

² RLG member Stefan Presland commented, “I assume the article is referring to EGCG green tea extract. I’ve been taking this on and off for a number of years and discovered this BBC report in my early days of taking it that I’ve always kept in mind: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-45971416 . I’m possibly being too cautious as a result, but in case any people read the article and decided to to go out and buy some themselves, it’s probably worth noting to only take one 400mg tablet a day and always with food.

A version of this article first appeared in ROAR! Issue 65: Summer 2023. If you would like to read other articles like this, why not become a member of the Red Lion Pouch Support group? You will receive printed Copy of ROAR! twice a year and have online access to archive ROAR! editions going back to 1994.

See pouchsupport.org/join for further information.

ACPGBI accreditation for St. Mark’s Hospital

ACPGBI recommends that pouch surgery should only be performed in high-volume specialist centres. St. Mark’s has been awarded ACPGBI accredited status.

The following, from the ACPGBI (Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland) website.

10 January 2023

The number of “pouches” performed for UC and FAP has steadily declined in recent years. There is however evidence of the occasional “pouch” being performed by individuals nationally.

ACPGBI Council now believes that this form of surgery should only be performed in high-volume specialist centres, by surgeons with sufficient expertise, working as a team. Council is therefore seeking Expressions of Interest for units to become accredited by ACPGBI in performing this form of surgery.

We are pleased to confirm that St. Mark’s Hospital has been granted ACPGBI accredited status.

For the full report and details of the criteria required for accredited status see https://www.acpgbi.org.uk/about/news/448/accreditation_of_pouch_units/)

Download the ACPGBI report below.

ACPGBI – Accreditation of pouch centres

Download Now!

St. Mark’s Hospital granted ASCGBI acreditation

Gold and silver for St Mark’s pioneering pouch care…

Gold and silver for St Mark’s pioneering pouch care team

Well, well, well! They’ve done it again! The much-admired pouch and stoma care nursing team at St Mark’s Hospital have won yet more accolades for their caring skills.

The source of their latest triumph was the 2023 BJN Awards run by the British Journal of Nursing. St Mark’s Consultant Nurse Zarah Perry-Woodford was named Nurse of the Year in the BJN awards – a mere six months after she was nominated as Nursing Times Nurse Manager of the Year (See the Winter 2022-2023 Roar!).

To add even greater lustre to her win, the members of Zarah’s team, lead nurse Petya Marinova and pouch/stoma nurse Rali Marinova, won silver in the BJN awards Stoma Nurse of the Year category. This follows the team’s four nominations and a “highly commended” in the Nursing Times and Association of Stoma Care Nurses awards last October.

Commented Petya: “This is a joint team silver – or runners-up medal – for the stoma and pouch nursing team. We are very proud of this achievement and hope to continue doing amazing nursing work for all our patients.

The St. Mark’s Stoma and Pouch care team

“The award is for successfully delivering uninterrupted services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, digitalising our services and publishing a stoma patient guide handbook – “Stoma Care – A Guide for Patients” – empowering patients to self-care throughout the pandemic and beyond.”

Jason Bacon, CEO of the St Mark’s Hospital Foundation, said: “The St Mark’s Foundation, members of the hospital trust and the staff of St Mark’s send a huge message of congratulations to Zarah and the whole team of remarkable nurses. We are delighted that Zarah Perry-Woodford has been awarded “Nurse of the Year” and the St Mark’s stoma and pouchcare nursing team won the silver medal for the BJN Stoma Care Team of the Year.”

Jason Bacon – CEO of St. Mark’s Foundation

Added Petya: “We are all extremely proud of Zarah Perry-Woodford’s well-deserved achievement, as it is testament to the amazing work she has done over the last 20-plus years, and especially the last couple of years, leading the pouch and stoma care team through the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond, ensuring services are maintained in a safe and effective way, and going above and beyond in order to ensure the safety of the team, and guaranteeing that patients are well supported with uninterrupted service throughout the pandemic and beyond.”

Christopher Browne
Trustee and ROAR! editor

IBD Patient Day (Celebrating World IBD Day) at St.…

IBD Patient Day (Celebrating World IBD Day) at St. Mark’s

This year St. Mark’s Hospital Foundation is delighted to be hosting an IBD Patient day on Saturday 13th May celebrating World IBD day!

This event is in partnership with our amazing clinical colleagues, and we would absolutely love to see you there. This jam-packed day features talks from members of the St Mark’s specialist IBD team, St Mark’s Surgeons and Consultants.

This is an opportunity for patients to come together at Central Middlesex Hospital as the new home of St Marks.

The World IBD day theme is going to be “ageing well with IBD“, where we will connect people of all ages and offer support as they live with IBD.

Admission is FREE but registration is required. You can register here.

World IBD Day takes place on 19 May each year and unites people worldwide in their fight against Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, known as inflammatory bowel diseases. You can find out more about World IDB day at https://worldibdday.org

Could you be our next treasurer?

Do you have bookkeeping and/or accounting skills and experience? Are you looking to give a little back for the benefit of pouchees and potential pouchees in the UK and abroad?

The Red Lion Group Trustees are looking for a Treasurer due to the imminent retirement of present incumbent. This is a voluntary role and we are keen to hear from pouchees and non-pouchees. The role is part-time and “work-from-home” with a minimal number of virtual team meetings on zoom.

Key roles:

Routine book keeping with a small number of automated transactions per year
Bank statement reconciliation and making payments and deposits where necessary
Processing expense claims (less than 10 per year)
Preparation of the annual accounts and preparation of slides for the AGM
Attending 4-8 online Trustee meetings per year and contributing as a valued member of the team to governance and management issues.
Experience with Microsoft Office tools desirable (excel, powerpoint etc)

To apply:

Please email me at chair@pouchsupport.org stating your reason(s) for applying, outlining your book keeping / accounting experience and anything else you feel might be relevant.

Thanks for your interest

David

RLG Chairman

Loneliness of the long-distance (J-pouch) runner

Illness and J-pouch surgery were no obstacle to a former triathlete’s ultramarathon success. Everyone with a J-Pouch is a winner!
Just ask Tom Plater.

Good marathon runners are a rare breed – and outstanding ones a very rare species indeed. RLG member Tom Plater, who’s specialist skills are marathons and ultra-marathons, is certainly one of the latter. A red-blooded Lion to his core, you might well say. But what makes Tom’s latest achievements even more remarkable is that he has a J-pouch.

Four years ago this 37-year-old former triathlete and ironman faced a markedly different test of his resolve and stamina when he discovered he had FAP (familial adenomatous polyposis), a condition that, if left untreated, can lead to bowel cancer. Soon after the diagnosis, Tom was told by two St Mark’s Hospital consultants that he would need surgery to create a J-pouch. Recovery would be tough, but he would be able run again, they said.

Brave to a fault, the optimistic consultant project manager says: “Even as I was being bombarded by new information, well-informed advice on recovery and cautions about my mental wellbeing, I’d already fixed my sights on getting back to normal,” During his six months with a stoma, Tom started running again “wearing baggy clothes”, as well as local cycling trips and “finding evermore reasons to not go to the office”.

However, as Tom says, his first run post-op was “terrifying and the decisions to be made endless “. So, he resigned himself to being a gym bunny, never venturing outdoors. Then one day he spoke to a friend whom he’d met during his earlier Army career who said he was organising a marathon in the famous Brecon Beacons. Tom duly signed up.

“l leapfrogged from marathons into the unnatural world of Ultras (ultra-marathons)“

“The event turned out to be a huge confidence boost and a return to my love of being in the hills with friends,” says Tom.

Then the following year, 2020, the intrepid runner leapfrogged from marathons into the unnatural world of Ultras [ultra-marathons] when he entered a 100km race. To get into shape for the event, Tom adopted a keto/high-fat/low carb [carbohydrate] diet (HLFC), the theory being that fat-burning ketones reduce the volume of food needed during a race and so lessen the risk of any malfunctions. Aided by the relentless encouragement of his family and friends, Tom “stumbled to the finish of the race in 12hrs 29mins”.

Then he heard about an even more challenging event – the North Downs Way 100 – a 100-mile-long ultra-marathon that was being run over the national trails of Hampshire, Surrey, and Kent.

“100 miles of non-stop running, utilising a digestive system that is no longer capable of letting me sleep for more than two hours in one stretch was a totally ridiculous idea. But the madness of it relieved most of the worry throughout my training and into the build-up for the race” says Tom. And Tom also had a secret weapon – a handy little bag of M&S Percy Pigs.

“I got to the start-line totally convinced that with these gummy children’s sweets and another product called Tailwind nutrition for athletes, I could complete at least 37 miles of the race in one stretch with no J-pouch malfunctions” says Tom.

“After finishing that first third of the race, I found the rest of the course was made up of glorious off-road trails and the becalming effects of a hot English summer’s day.

As ever, Tom kept a nary eye out for any source of relief. “I did my best to let go of my anxiety when facilities weren’t at the marked aid stations and made the most of the euphoria of seeing an unexpected loo stop when it appeared,” he says.

Eventually Tom achieved his pre-race goal of completing the race in under 24 hours – not one of his fellow competitors realising that this former triathlete had recently had two major operations and was the proud owner of a unique piece of man-made anatomy.

Tom’s ultra-marathon efforts also raised £2,350 for the St Mark’s Hospital Foundation and £1,350 for the Help for Heroes military charity.

As this brave Red Lion says now: “I am convinced that a J-pouch can reach whatever goal is on its owner’s finish- line.”

Congratulations Tom!

Jason Bacon, CEO of the St Mark’s Hospital Foundation, commented: “As someone who enjoys running and occasionally gets out for a 10k or half marathon race I stand in awe of Tom Plater. Tom’s run was a truly remarkable feat and raised £2,350 for the Foundation for which we are truly thankful. “Importantly Tom also raised awareness that having a pouch is not an impediment to achieving extraordinary physical feats.“

See pouchsupport.org/join for further information.

Red Lion Group website hits 100k views!

We are really proud to have reached this milestone. Since we revamped and rebranded the Red Lion Group website as pouchsupport.org in 2018, we have just reached 100,000 views, from over 30,000 visitors, from 135 different countries. The numbers are growing year on year, and this year 2023, we should hit 40-50,000 views. I think that is pretty impressive for a website focused on such a niche medical condition, but the most important thing is that we are providing help and support to so many pouchees and prospective pouchees out there!

The picture above shows how the number of views has increased since we went live with the new website in 2018. The number of views in 2022 hit 33,008 and we are already at 11,061 views for 2023 – and it’s only the beginning of March! It looks very likely that we will exceed 40,000 views this year.

The following picture shows the most popular posts and pages since the start of 2023.

Although Red Lion Group is primarily UK based, our website visitors and Red Lion Group membership spans the globe. Picture below shows the top 10 countries by viewer number.

To see the full list of 135 countries (to date), download the image below. There are some interesting names on the list!

Website Views by Country

See ALL Views

We hope that our website growth will contunue onwards and upwards and thank you all for your continued support.

Gary Bronziet
RLG Membership Secretary and IT support

New season of J-Pouch webcasts announced for 2023

Following on from our highly popular J-Pouch webcasts on zoom in 2021/22, we are excited to announce that we will be repeating this in 2023 and we already have some top speakers lined up. An opportunity for J Pouch patients to see and hear from the foremost experts in the field of J-pouch surgery and the challenges of living with a J-pouch. Each talk will be followed by an interactive Q&A so a chance to put your questions to the experts. We will have some familiar and popular speakers from previous years, and also some new faces.

NEW THIS YEAR – we will also be LIVE STREAMING the webcasts on our Facebook Group!

We are delighted to announce that Valerio Celentano – head of the J-pouch one-stop clinic at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital – will be opening this years series on Thursday, 9th March on the subject of “Ileoanal pouch formation and revisional surgery for pouch problems“.

On Tuesday 16th May, you have the opportunity to see Janindra Warusavitarne, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at St. Mark’s Hospital, who will be speaking on Advances in laparoscopic approach to pouch surgery, and we also have lined up Professor Omar Faiz, Clinical Director and Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at St Mark’s Hospital, who will be talking about his pioneering research programme into robot technology (date to be confirmed).

Other speakers include Ellie Bradshaw – Using Biofeedback to help with Pouch emptying problems, Uchu Meade –Medication associated with j pouch and when to use them“ and there will also be a chance to meet the St. Mark’s Hospital Pouch Nurse team for an interactive Q&A.

Registration is required to attend the zoom sessions. To register and to see the details of other upcoming sessions, go to pouchsupport.org/events or click on button below.

Ileoanal pouch formation and revisional surgery for pouch problems

Valerio Celentano – Head of J-Pouch One stop Clinic at Chelsea and Westminster

Mr Valerio Celentano – Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Date/Time: Thursday, 9 March 2023 at 7:30 pm (London time)

Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) after total proctocolectomy (removal of entire large bowel and rectum) is a surgical procedure for ulcerative colitis refractory to medical treatment and majority of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), as an alternative to permanent end ileostomy. Although many patients undergoing pouch surgery have satisfactory functional and long-term outcomes results, the procedure is complex and associated with problems and complications in the short- and long-term. Several complications following pouch surgery can lead to the pouch requiring removal (pouch excision) or permanent diversion (need for ileostomy) and reported rates can be up to 20%. This spectrum of conditions carries the very unfortunate and likely inappropriate name of “pouch failure”.

Gaining experience in pouch surgery is hard as the procedure is performed infrequently across many hospitals, as reported by the UK Pouch registry, outlining that the average number of pouches performed in English institutions was low and one quarter of the surgeons undertaking this operation had performed only one case over the last five years. The interactive talk will discuss the challenges of ileoanal pouch surgery and some of the surgical complications that can benefit from revisional (redo) pouch surgery.

An institutional initiative to promote standardisation of multidisciplinary care in IPAA surgery will also be presented.

For a detailed description please refer to :-

https://www.bsg.org.uk/service-success-stories/the-one-stop-ileoanal-pouch-surgery-clinic-a-multidisciplinary-patient-centred-approach/

Recorded 9 March 2023

Biofeedback and other techniques to help you empty your pouch

Recorded 26 April 2023

Ellie Bradshaw, formerly gastrointestinal specialist nurse and biofeedback specialist at St Mark’s Hospital, now at Princess Grace

Date/Time: Wednesday, 26 April 2023 at 7:30 pm (London time)

Lively and exuberant speaker Ellie Bradshaw will let us into the secrets of biofeedback – a unique method of pouch-emptying. Ellie, who is based at the renowned Princess Grace Hospital in London, says she thrives on helping people manage their bowel and pelvic floor symptoms. Those traditional pelvic floor exercises will never be the same again!

See this publication by Ellie Bradshaw and Brigitte Collins – “Bowel dysfunction: “The comprehensive guide for healthcare professionals.”

Advances in laparoscopic approach to pouch surgery

Janindra Warusavitarne, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at St. Mark’s Hospital.

Janindra Warusavitarne, a consultant colorectal surgeon at St Mark’s Hospital, is a pioneer in laparoscopic surgery (sometimes known as keyhole surgery). Janindra, who is a patron of Red Lion Group, will compare the laparoscopic approach with the more traditional open surgery techniques.

About Mr Janindra Warusavitarne

Mr Janindra Warusavitarne, is a Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, specialising in intestinal failure, inflammatory bowel disease, Anal fistula, haemorrhoids and colorectal cancer.

He is the lead surgeon for inflammatory bowel diseases at St Mark’s Hospital, London, an honorary senior lecturer at Imperial College and conjoint senior lecturer at the University of New South Wales. He is part of the executive team conducting the European Board qualification for colorectal surgery and a visiting scientist to the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. In addition he sits on the education committee of the European Society of Coloproctology.

Janindra is considered a key opinion leader and innovator and has been involved in many new procedures such as video assisted fistula treatment and laser treatment for haemorrhoids and anal fistula.

Mr Warusavitarne relocated from Australia in 2010, when he was offered an appointment at St Mark’s Hospital in Harrow, a national and international referral centre of excellence for intestinal and colorectal disorders.

After completing his surgical training, Janindra undertook full-time research (focusing on the genetics of colorectal cancer) and was awarded a PhD from the University of Sydney, Australia. He has extensive experience in minimally invasive surgery and has been innovative in developing minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Date/Time: Tuesday 16 May 2023 at 7:30 pm (London Time)

St. Mark’s Hospital, Pouch nurses

Date/Time: Wednesday, 24 May 2023 at 7:30 pm (London time).

Presentation and Q&A with St. Mark’s Hospital award winning pouch nurse team. As you may have seen in a recent post, St Mark’s Consultant nurse Zarah Perry-Woodford was named Nurse of the Year in the BJN awards, and the members of Zarah’s team, lead nurse Petya Marinova and pouch/stoma nurse, Rali Marinova won silver in the BJN awards Stoma Nurse of the Year category.

Their talk will cover

Pouch Nursing Service – new trends
Innovation in Pouch Care and
Ongoing support

This will be followed by a Q&A session. You will be invited to ask any questions in the meeting, but if you prefer, or wish to remain anonymous, you can submit questions by email to info@pouchsupport.org

Kapil Sahnan – Consultant Surgeon, at St. Mark’s Academic Institute.

Kapil Sahnan – Consultant Surgeon, at St. Mark’s Academic Institute.

Date/Time: Thursday 22 June 2023 at 7:30 pm (London Time)

Jason Bacon, latest research into robotic surgery

Jason Bacon is the CEO of St. Mark’s Hospital Foundation

Date/Time: Wednesday, 11 July 2023 at 7:30 pm (London time)

A team led by Professor Omar Faiz, St Mark’s Hospital’s clinical director, has been pioneering a research programme into robot technology, financially backed by a St Mark’s Hospital Foundation fundraising campaign. In this talk, Jason Bacon (CEO of St. Mark’s Hospital Foundation) will give an update on this fascinating project.

Uchu Meade, Head of Pharmacy at St. Mark’s Hospital

Uchu Meade is Head of Pharmacy at St. Mark’s Hospital

Date/Time: Thursday, 10 August 2023 at 7:30 pm (London time)

In her August webinar, Uchu Meade will be discussing the best recommended medications for pouch patients and the latest pouch related developments in pharmacy.

Details of further Red Lion Group webcasts for 2023 will be added in due course.

Contacting the St. Mark’s Hospital Pouch Nurses (and other…

Contacting the St. Mark’s Hospital Pouch Nurses and other useful contacts (including PALS)

You can contact the Pouch Nurse Team at St. Mark’s Hospital by phone on 020 8453 2099 or by email at lnwh-tr.internalpouchcare@nhs.net

Before you contact them, the pouch team request that you download and complete the St. Mark’s Hospital Pouch Care Passport (see below), save it and send to them as an attachment. Please note that they are able to offer general advice only.

(To complete the passport, please use preferably a PC/laptop – as many people struggle completing the form with mobile devices, especially iPhone/iPad).

St. Mark’s Hospital – Pouch Care Passport

Download and complete the passport with as much detail as possible and send as attachment with your enquiry to the pouch nurse team at St. Mark’s Hospital to email address:-

LNWH-tr.internalpouchcare@nhs.net

Download Now!

St. Mark’s Hospital Pouch Team (from left) Petya Marinova, Zarah Perry-Woodford, Rali Marinova

You can find further details of the St. Mark’s Hospital Pouch and Stoma nurse team at https://www.stmarkshospital.nhs.uk/services-a-z/stoma-care/

Other contacts at St. Mark’s Hospital.

ST MARK’S SPECIALIST SURGICAL PRACTITIONERS –
For surgical wound related problems or pre-assessment queries

Email: lnwh-tr.stmarkspractitioner@nhs.net

ST MARK’S ENDOSCOPY –
For Endoscopy procedure questions or appointments

Telephone: 0208 235 4130
Email: lnwh-tr.endoscopy@nhs.net

Website: https://www.stmarkshospital.nhs.uk/services-a-z/wolfson-unit-for-endoscopy/

ST MARK’S ADMISSIONS –
For questions regarding your admission

Telephone: 0208 235 4055
Email: lnwh-tr.stmadmissions@nhs.net

ST MARK’S OUTPATIENTS –
For outpatient appointments questions

Telephone: 0208 235 4051/0208 963 8853
Email: lnwh-tr.smopd-appointments@nhs.net

ST MARK’S IBD TEAM –
For any IBD queries – e.g. IBD medications, Iron Infusion

Telephone: Tel:0208 453 2368 (Advice line) /Secretary: 020 8235 4026, Email: lnwh-tr.ibdnurse@nhs.net

ST MARK’S INTESTINAL FAILURE UNIT –
For Roundwood/IRU questions

Telephone: 020 8453 2214
Email: LNWH-tr.IFU@nhs.net

ST MARK’S NUTRITION NURSES –
For Roundwood/IRU Nutrition nurses questions

Telephone: 0208 235 4120
Email: LNWH-tr.St-Marks-Nutrition-Nurses@nhs.net

ST MARK’S BIOFEEDBACK –
For biofeedback appointments and queries, contact the Biofeedback team

Telephone: 0208 453 2458
Email: lnwh-tr.biofeedbackphysiologystmreferrals@nhs.net

ST MARK’S MEDICAL SECRETARIES –
For Consultant appointments and queries, contact your Medical Consultant secretary

Dr Donnelly/Dr Gabe/Dr Holman’s secretary –
Telephone: 0208 235 4196
Email: dora.michaelides@nhs.net

Dr Naghibi’s secretary – Telephone: 0208 235 4084

Dr Amar Sharif/Dr Nikolaos Kamperidis’s secretary –
Telephone: 020 8869 3058
Email: Bharti.Huda@nhs.net

Professor Hart/Dr Akbar’s secretary –
Telephone: 020 8869 5808
Email: sokantey@nhs.net

ST MARK’S SURGICAL SECRETARIES –

For Consultant appointments and queries, contact your Surgical Consultant secretary

Miss Vaizey/Professor Faiz/Mr G Thomas’s secretary –
Telephone: 0208 235 4020
Email: susan.russell6@nhs.net

Mr Warusavitarne/Mr Mehta/Ms Williams’s secretary –
Telephone: 0208 235 4168
Email: meeta.maru@nhs.net

Ms E Burns/Mr A Antoniou/Mr I Jenkins’s secretary –
Telephone: 020 8235 4177
Email: a.elie@nhs.net

Mr Tozer/Miss Asha Senapati’s secretary –
Telephone: 020 8235 4195
Email: rose.gonzalez@nhs.net

Professor Clark’s secretary –
Telephone: 020 8235 4018
Email: anne.wheelhouse@nhs.net

PATIENT ADVICE AND LIAISON SERVICE (PALS)

If you need advice about St. Mark’s services, don’t know where to turn to, or have concerns about your care, the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is there to help.

For PALS contact information go to https://www.lnwh.nhs.uk/pals/

New FAQs page on website and more speed!

New FAQs page on website and more speed!

How one pouchee maintains good pouch function

The banker with the magic touch – how one pouchee maintains good pouch function

ACPGBI accreditation for St. Mark’s Hospital

ACPGBI accreditation for St. Mark’s Hospital

10 January 2023

Gold and silver for St Mark’s pioneering pouch care…

Gold and silver for St Mark’s pioneering pouch care team

IBD Patient Day (Celebrating World IBD Day) at St.…

IBD Patient Day (Celebrating World IBD Day) at St. Mark’s

Could you be our next treasurer?

Could you be our next treasurer?

Loneliness of the long-distance (J-pouch) runner

Loneliness of the long-distance (J-pouch) runner

Red Lion Group website hits 100k views!

Red Lion Group website hits 100k views!

New season of J-Pouch webcasts announced for 2023

New season of J-Pouch webcasts announced for 2023

Ileoanal pouch formation and revisional surgery for pouch problems

Biofeedback and other techniques to help you empty your pouch

Advances in laparoscopic approach to pouch surgery

St. Mark’s Hospital, Pouch nurses

Kapil Sahnan – Consultant Surgeon, at St. Mark’s Academic Institute.

Jason Bacon, latest research into robotic surgery

Uchu Meade, Head of Pharmacy at St. Mark’s Hospital

Contacting the St. Mark’s Hospital Pouch Nurses (and other…

Contacting the St. Mark’s Hospital Pouch Nurses and other useful contacts (including PALS)

Other contacts at St. Mark’s Hospital.

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The Red Lion Group is a UK registered charity number 1068124