J Pouch related live webcasts scheduled for 2026

J Pouch related live webcasts scheduled for 2026

The Red Lion Group schedules another series of live webcasts for 2026 featuring world renowned speakers on subjects of great interest to patients considering or having undergone J Pouch Surgery.

We are delighted to report we have another new speaker (for us!) this year – namely Dr Alexa Duff lead clinical psychologist specialising in IBD at St Mark’s Hospital and founder of the Gut Brain Connection (gutbrainconnection.co.uk).

As you may be aware, Red Lion Group began broadcasting live webcasts on Zoom during the COVID epidemic, when we were unable to host our regular in-person Information Day previously held at St. Mark’s Hospital. These have proved so popular that we have continued with this practice every year since, and this year is no exception with an exciting line-up of speakers as detailed below.

Samantha Evans and Lisa Allison

Wednesday 18th February 19:30 (BST)- Preparing for Pouch Surgery
Wednesday 29th April 19:30 pm (BST) – Managing Pouch Complications

A dynamic duo: Samantha Evans, nurse consultant for stoma- and pouchcare at St Mark’s Hospital, and Lisa Allison, clinical nurse specialist for pouchcare, who oversee the before and after activities of St Mark’s Hospital’s pouchcare and pouch operations. They will be presenting two joint Zoom webcasts on Wednesday, 18th February and Wednesday, 29th April respectively.

The two events are deliberately linked as the first will show the structure of the St Mark’s pouchcare nursing team and how they prepare patients for pouch surgery; while the second will highlight the hospital’s enhanced recovery post-operative process and how they manage pouch complications in the hospital’s Nurse-led clinics.

PS: Lisa Allison is a former chair of the Red Lion Group!

Dr Alexa Duff – The role of Stress and Anxiety in Ulcerative Colitis and Crohns

Wednesday 15th April 2026 at 19:30 pm (BST)

We are delighted to report that we have lined up an original and fascinating webcast by Dr Alexa Duff – lead clinical psychologist specialising in IBD at St Mark’s Hospital and founder of the Gut Brain Connection (gutbrainconnection.co.uk).  Dr Duff will cover a rarely-discussed aspect of our lives as pouchees, that is whether mental problems are a possible cause of UC or Crohn’s disease and whether stress or anxiety are contributory factors in the day-to-day behaviour of pouches. She will also review ways pouch patients can cope with the stigma of problems with the bowel – at work, in social situations and in close relationships.

Other issues that she will cover include :-

• whether patients are given enough support for the psychological effects of pouch operations refering to some of the issues she has experienced in her work at St Mark’s Hospital.
• what changes she would like to see introduced before, during and after operations to help pouch patients deal with a very difficult period in their lives.

This promises to be a fascinating session so make sure of your place by registering below.

Others Speakers and Events to be added. You can find further information about our webcast schedule for 2026 with links to register and view recordings of previous webcasts at pouchsupport.org/events/