Events
During COVID, we switched from hosting in-person Information Days to online webcasts, and this has proven so successful and popular that we have retained this format.
You can see details of scheduled events and links to recordings below. Check back earlier years for links to the recordings of past online events. For recordings from the earlier in-person Information Days which took place at St. Mark’s Hospital, go to our Resources page.
2025
| Date | Event | Link |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Jan 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 5 Feb 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 3 Mar 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 7 Apr 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 30 Apr 7:30pm | Achieving peak fitness after J Pouch Surgery featuring Ben Barbanel Ben will be describing how he developed his own regime for the management of his “problem pouch” and then went on to join an “ultimate performance” fitness class to achieve peak fitness at the grand ‘young’ age of 45! | View Recording |
| 7 May 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 2 June 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 7 July 7:30pm | Open Forum An opportunity for friendly supportive informal discussion on all matters pouch related for people with a pouch or considering pouch surgery. Open Forums are not recorded and if you prefer you can send questions in advance to info@pouchsupport.org | Register |
| 23 July 7:30pm | Nutritional advice for Pouch patients featuring Clemmie Oliver Specialist IBD Nutritionist Clemmie Oliver looks at how diet and lifestyle can support recovery from pouch surgery and how it is pivotal to our ongoing health with a pouch. Clemmie who had UC aged 9 and has an ileo-pouch herself founded and runs The Nutrition and Lifestyle Medical Clinic (NALM). She is a passionate advocate of helping pouchees cope with food issues and nutrition needs. | Register |
| TBC | Talk by Guy Worley, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon Guy Worley is a former research fellow at St Mark’s Hospital and now a Consultant Colorectal surgeon at the Royal London Hospital. He will be describing his move into Pouch surgery and his views on the future treatment of Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP). Originally scheduled for 21 May, new date to be confirmed. | |
| Check back for further 2025 events. |
2024
| Date | Event | Link |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Jan 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 5 Feb 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 4 March 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 18 March 7:00 pm | Introductory discussion on J Pouch related fistula study Dr. Easan Anand of St. Mark’s Hospital, is conducting a study into J Pouch related fistula. If you have been diagnosed or treated for a pouch related fistula and are interested in taking part, then you may be interested in attending this session which will be an introductory discussion about the study. See details for further information and how to register to attend this session. | Details |
| 1 April 7:30 pm | Open Forum | |
| 16 April 7:30 pm | Prof. John Nicholls, Emeritus Consultant Surgeon to St Mark’s Hospital, London and Visiting Professor at Imperial College, London and recognised as the co-creator of the ileo-anal pouch. Subject: “40 Years of colorectal surgery” | View Recording |
| 6 May 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 29 May 7:30 pm | Ellie Bradshaw, is a specialist in the field of biofeedback. A lively and eloquent speaker, she recently rejoined the pouch and stoma care team at St Mark’s Hospital. Subject: “Biofeedback management of pouches”. | View Recording |
| 3 June 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 21 June 5:00 pm. | Dr Sonya Frearson, consultant clinical psychologist and head of the St Mark’s Psychological Medicine Unit (PMU). Subject: “Psychological preparation for Surgery at St Mark’s Hospital“ | View Recording |
| 25 June 7:30 pm | AGM (Annual General meeting) of Red Lion Group. Red Lion Group members will have been sent the agenda and proxy form for those unable to attend. | |
| 29 June | Ia (ileostomy Association) Pouch Information Day This in person event will be taking place at Radisson Blu Hotel, Broad Quay, Bristol BSI 4BY on Saturday 29th June, 10.00 to 16.00. | Details |
| 1 July 7:30 pm | Open Forum | |
| 10 July 7:30pm | The link between surgeon and pouch patient is a very special one – verging on the symbiotic. St Mark’s Hospital consultant surgeon Janindra Warusavitarne and Red Lion Group pouchee Ben Barbanel discuss this closeness and how it aids recovery. Subject: “Surgeon/Patient – a special relationship“ | View Recording |
| 24 July 7:30 pm | This Q&A webcast will feature Uchu Meade, Consultant Pharmacist at St. Mark’s Hospital, and Gabriella Poufou, Advanced Specialist Inflammatory Bowel Disease Dietitian at St. Mark’s Hospital, who will be answering questions on the subject of medication and diet for pouch patients. Attendees will be invited to submit questions in advance of this session. As there was not time to address all subjects, Uchu and Garbriela kindly agreed to schedule a follow up session. Now scheduled for 30 October. Please submit questions to info@pouchsupport.org Subject: “Dietary and medication Q&A for Pouch patients” Part I | View Recording |
| 5 Aug 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 2 Sep 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 7 Oct 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 04 Nov 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 09 Dec 7:30pm | Open Forum An opportunity for friendly supportive informal discussion on all matters pouch related for people with a pouch or considering pouch surgery. Open Forums are not recorded and if you prefer you can send questions in advance to info@pouchsupport.org | Register |
| Check back for further 2024 events. |
2023
| Date | Event | Link |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Jan 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 21 Jan | Ia Pouch Information Day featuring Richard Lovegrove | Details |
| 6 Feb 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 6 Mar 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 9 Mar 7:30pm | Valerio Celentano, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Subject: “Ileoanal pouch formation and revisional surgery for pouch problems“ | View Recording |
| 3 April 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 26 Apr 7:30pm | Ellie Bradshaw, formerly gastrointestinal specialist nurse and biofeedback specialist at St Mark’s Hospital, now at Princess Grace. Subject: “Using Biofeedback to help with Pouch emptying problems”. | View Recording |
| 2 May 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 13 May 10:00am- 1:00 pm | Celebrating World IBD Day This is an in person event at St. Mark’s Hospital Central Middlesex, featuring talks from members of the St Mark’s specialist IBD team, St Mark’s Surgeons and Consultants. Admission is free but registration is required. | |
| 16 May 7:30pm | Janindra Warusavitarne, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at St. Mark’s Hospital. Subject: “Advances in laparoscopic approach to pouch surgery” | View Recording |
| 24 May 7:30pm | Presentation and Q&A with the St. Mark’s Hospital pouch nurses. Subject: St. Mark’s hospitals award winning pouch nurse team will be talking about Pouch Nursing Service – new trends, Innovation in Pouch Care and Ongoing support followed by a Question & Answer 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 | View Recording |
| 12 June 7:30pm | Open Forum on Zoom | |
| 3 July 7:30pm | Open Forum on Zoom | |
| 11 July 7:30 pm | Jason Bacon, CEO of St. Mark’s Hospital Foundation and Kapil Sahnan, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, St. Mark’s Hospital. Subject: “Advances in Robotics in Colorectal Surgery“ St Mark’s Hospital has been pioneering a research programme into robot technology in colorectal surgery, financially backed by a St Mark’s Hospital Foundation. In this talk, Kapil Sahnan (Consultant colorectal surgeon) and Jason Bacon (CEO of St. Mark’s Hospital Foundation) will give an update on this fascinating project. | View Recording |
| 7 August 7:30 pm | Open Forum on Zoom | |
| 10 Aug 7:00pm AGM 7:30pm Uchu Meade | Annual General Meeting of the Red Lion Group at 7:00 pm to be followed at 7:30 pm by the webcast featuring Uchu Meade as below. If you are a Red Lion Group member, we encourage you to join us for the AGM. The same zoom link will apply to both meetings so attendees of the AGM can just remain online. Uchu Meade is Head of Pharmacy at St. Mark’s Hospital Subject: “Pharmacy advice for pouch patients“ | View Recording |
| 4 Sept 7:30 pm | Open Forum on Zoom | |
| Saturday 16 Sept | Kangaroo Club – Annual Pouch Information day 2023 The annual Information day of the Kangaroo club will take place on 16th September 2023, at Leonardo Royal Hotel (formerly Jurys Inn), Oxford. See details for further information and registration. | Details |
| 9 Oct 7:30 pm | Open Forum on Zoom | |
| 6 Nov 7:30pm | Open Forum on Zoom | |
| 9 Nov 7:30pm | Birmingham Ileostomy Association (ia) Zoom Meeting Subject: “To pouch or not to pouch? That is the question. A Surgeon’s view of internal pouch surgery”. Featuring Miss Melissa Cunha, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, and President of Birmingham IA (Ileostomy Association) If you are interested in attending this meeting, please contact mike.jameson@iasupport.org | |
| 30 Nov 7:30 pm | St. Mark’s in Concert featuring performances by accomplished patients and consultants of St. Mark’s Hospital. Join St. Mark’s Hospital Foundation at St James’s Church, Piccadilly, London, W1J 9LL for a unique celebration of St Mark’s in the beautiful setting of St James’s Church in Piccadilly. Tickets £30.00. | Details |
| 4 Dec 7:30pm | Open Forum on Zoom An opportunity for friendly supportive informal discussion on all matters pouch related for people with a pouch or considering pouch surgery. Open Forums are not recorded and if you prefer you can submit questions in advance to info@pouchsupport.org | |
| Look out for our new events schedule for 2024! |
2022
| Date | Event | Link |
|---|---|---|
| 7th February 7:30 pm | Open Forum | |
| 23rd February 7:30 pm | Professor Sue Clark , Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, St Mark’s Hospital. Subject: “Pouch Dysfunction“ | View Recording |
| 7th March 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 4th April 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 9th May 7:30pm | Open Forum | |
| 6th June 7:30 pm | Open Forum | |
| 26th June | London Bridges Walk Join us on Sunday June 26 2022, for a fun, family-friendly walk across London’s iconic Bridges. | Details |
| 4th July 7:30 pm | Open Forum | |
| 8th Aug 7:30 pm | Open Forum | |
| 5th Sept 7:30 pm | Open Forum | |
| 3rd October 7:30 pm | Open Forum | |
| 8th October | Kangaroo Club Information Day | Details |
| 7th Nov 7:30 pm | Open Forum | |
| 5th Dec 7:30 pm | Open Forum | |
| Further events for 2022 to be confirmed. Check back for updates. | ||
2021
| Date | Event | Link |
|---|---|---|
| 5 May 2021 | Janindra Warusavitarne, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at St. Mark’s Hospital. Subject: Through the keyhole – latest developments in pouch surgery | View Recording |
| 19 May 2021 | Prof. John Nicholls, Emeritus Consultant Surgeon to St Mark’s Hospital, London and Visiting Professor at Imperial College, London Subject: Evolution of Modern Surgery | View Recording |
| 26 May 2021 | Uchu Meade, Head of Pharmacy at St. Mark’s Hospital. Subject: Keep taking the tablets: a guide to the best drugs and when to take them. | View Recording |
| 7 June 2021 7:30 pm | Open Forum | |
| 14 June 2021 7:30 pm | Professor Ailsa Hart, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Sub-Dean (St Mark’s Academic Institute) Subject: Professor Hart will be speaking on the subject “Management of a pouch behaving badly”. | View Recording |
| 28 June 2021 7:30 pm | Jason Bacon, CEO of St. Mark’s Hospital Foundation Subject: St Mark’s Hospital’s clinical services at Northwick Park, Central Middlesex Hospital and Beyond | View Recording |
| 5 July 2021 7:30 pm | Open Forum | |
| 4 August 2021 7:30 pm | Gabriela Poufou, Dietician St. Mark’s Hospital Subject: Healthy eating for Patients with an Internal Pouch | View Recording |
| 9 August 2021 7:30 pm | Open Forum | |
| 6 September 2021 7:00 pm | AGM followed by Open Forum at 7:30 pm | |
| 22 September 2021 7:30 pm | Petya Marinova, Pouch and Stoma care specialist nurse, St. Mark’s Hospital. Subject: St Mark’s Hospital: Life after the Pandemic | View Recording |
| 4 October 2021 7:30 pm | Open Forum | |
| 13 October 2021 7:30 pm | Ellie Bradshaw, formerly gastrointestinal specialist nurse and biofeedback specialist at St Mark’s Hospital, now at Princess Grace. Subject: “Crouch for your pouch – key emptying tips!” | View Recording |
| 1st November 2021 7:30 pm | Open Forum | |
| 25th November 2021 | St. Mark’s Hospital Stoma & Pouch Care Virtual Information Day | View Recording |
| 6th December 2021 7:30 pm | Open Forum | |
| 8th December 2021 7:30 pm | Phil Tozer (consultant colorectal surgeon – St. Mark’s Hospital) & Lillian Reza (St. Mark’s Academic Institute) Subject: Treatment of Fistulas associated with Pouches. | View Recording |
