IA Trustee Jacqui Sibbald has been featured in Scotland’s Health and Care News Bulletin, speaking up for people living with a stoma as part of a push for more consistent care across the country.

The article covers a stakeholder event held by the Scottish Stoma Forum in October at Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital. It brought together people from the NHS, the Scottish Government, patient organisations and industry, including Scotland’s Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, Kathryn Brechin. Around 20,000 people in Scotland live with a stoma, and that number grows every year.

The Forum, chaired by Professor Param Mariappan, argues that the planned reform of Scotland’s health boards is a chance to end the postcode lottery in stoma care. Its calls include fair access to specialist nurses, annual reviews, patient choice over products and services, and a “Once for Scotland” approach across health boards.

Jacqui spoke about how surgery affects people psychologically as well as physically, from body image and relationships to work, confidence and travel. She stressed that better access to specialist nurses, peer groups and home visits would make “a huge difference” to patients who need support.

We’re proud to see Jacqui representing our members’ experience at a national level.

To read the full article, please see the Health and Care News Bulletin.