Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Support Group

The Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Support Group is a registered charity in the United Kingdom dedicated to helping individuals who have undergone surgical removal of the colon (colectomy) and creation of an ileostomy or an ileo-anal pouch. In individuals who receive an ileostomy, an opening is established between the lower region of the small intestine (ileum) and the abdominal wall, and the body’s waste material is collected in an externally attached bag. In individuals with an internal pouch, a reservoir is constructed from a section of the ileum. The Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Support Group was founded in 1956 by a group of people who had ileostomies and by some members of the medical profession. The organization currently includes over 60 local groups throughout Great Britain and Ireland. The group is committed to helping affected individuals return to fully active lives as soon as possible; assisting them with all aspects of their rehabilitation including social activities and relationships with family members, friends, employers, and others; and working in close cooperation with medical authorities as part of a team whose primary aim is the complete rehabilitation of every individual who has received an ileostomy or internal pouch. The Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Support Group is also dedicated to improving knowledge about the management of ileostomies or pouches; encouraging development of new ostomy equipment and skin care preparations; and promoting and coordinating research concerning the diseases that may lead to such surgical procedures and ways to improve the quality of life with an ileostomy or an internal pouch.