A recent "It's all about bowels" study day - which involved a patient recounting his experience of having bowel cancer - really made colleagues consider the importance of the care they provide.

The study days started before the pandemic, so this was the first face-to-face event for some time, with colleagues from various wards and The Kirkwood taking part in a full day of teaching on stomas, bowel surgery and the care of these patients. 

Lead Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist, Helen Ilsley, said: "We also welcomed a new addition to our sessions thanks to the generosity of Janet Youd and the education budget. It's a fabulous new model of the digestive system, allowing colleagues to learn about the configuration of the bowel before and after surgery.

"But the highlight of the day was hearing from a patient on his experience of having bowel cancer. His emotional account had us all reflecting on the care we provide." 

"Practical sessions involved colleagues applying a stoma bag to themselves to experience what it feels like to wear a bag throughout the day.

"The feedback we received was heart-warming and made all the hard work, worthwhile. We will be running the next study day in autumn, date to be confirmed. Look out for the posters and feel free to join us."