Linkline

Welcome to the Summer LinkLine

We’ve got another great issue for you with all the latest information on our new products – with samples of each one available on pages 5 and 6, and if you want to find out exactly how to get your five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, see the chart on page 10. If you are interested in recycling, see our story on page 8 to find out how our reject pouches are being given a new lease of life.

If you are yet to go on holiday and your supply of products is lost, damaged or stolen while you are away, or if you are concerned that, despite your planning, you may run out of products before you return home, just give us a call on Freephone 0800 626388 (UK). If you are abroad you need to call 00 44 121 333 2000 but please note this is NOT a freephone number. If you have a number ready, we are more than happy to call you back.

Fundraising event is walk in the park

More than 100 walkers turned out to support this year’s West Midlands Walk for Skin event at Lickey Hills Country Park in Birmingham, which is sponsored by Salts Healthcare.

Walk for Skin, a series of short sponsored walks at various country parks across the UK, is organised to raise both awareness and money for people with skin disease. Money raised by the walks, which took place in May, will be invested in the fight against diseases like skin cancer, acne, psoriasis and eczema, with 18 charities taking part and benefiting from the event.

A staggering £160,000 was raised at the first ever ‘Walk for Skin’ last year and a similar amount is expected from this year’s events, which saw around 3,000 people turning up to show their support across the country.

Salts Marketing Manager, Caroline Cowin, who took part in the event, said: “It’s a great event that draws attention to skin diseases and the ongoing research into treating them and we are proud to sponsor the Birmingham walk. It was great to see so many young children taking part with their families, who all thoroughly enjoyed the three-and-a-half mile walk around the picturesque grounds of Lickey Hills.”

Distribution depot welcomes patient group

A patient group visiting the Scottish Distribution Depot in Coatbridge was impressed to see where their pouches are delivered from.

Violet Ness, a stoma care nurse from the Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline organised the visit for a group of 16 patients from the Kirkcaldy Support Group who enjoyed a tour of the depot, and saw how their pouches are cut and their orders are processed. They also had the opportunity to look at the new product stand on display at the site.

Senior Product Specialist, Trevor Donald said: “I believe the group meets up quite regularly for days out and we were delighted that they wanted to come and see our new distribution centre. All the visitors showed an interest in our operations and the team here enjoyed extending our hospitality to them.”

Come Join Us at IA meeting in Inverness

The Inverness branch of Medilink is attending an IA meeting in the Recreational Hall at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness on Saturday 29 September from 12pm-3pm and colostomists, ileostomists, urostomists and internal pouch patients are invited to attend.

Trevor Donald from Salts Healthcare, as well as representatives from other manufacturers, will be on hand to show patients a wide range of existing and new products. The entire Medilink Inverness team – Tracey Miller, Tricia Ross and Rhona McGregor – are also attending and looking forward to meeting visitors.
As well as a raffle to help raise money for the IA, there will also be a buffet available at a cost of approximately £7 per head.

For further information or to book a place, please contact IA Chairman, Tom Wall on 01463 237528.

Salts sponsors inaugural meeting

Salts Healthcare is the first company to sponsor the inaugural Colostomy Association meeting. The meeting, which will become an annual event, will see Salts bussing colostomists from across the country to Sutton Coldfield to attend. They’ll have the opportunity to listen to a series of talks by surgeons and stoma care nurses, get an update on the Department of Health’s Consultation Document regarding the provision of stoma care products and services, meet Medilink staff and have a chance to see the latest Salts’ ostomy products and accessories, and find out more about the CA.

About 350 colostomists are expected to attend the event on Thursday 6 September. For further information, please contact the CA on 0800 328 4257.

Making a statement about stomas

How about this for a fantastic bit of recycling? Liz Sherwood-Stares has begun creating pieces of art from reject pouches as a way of getting people to talk about stomas and she wants you to help her with a future project that will make a real statement.

Liz explains: “I was made redundant after working at Safeways for many years and decided that this presented an ideal opportunity for me to do the Fine Arts Degree that I’d considered when I was younger but never got round to. During my course, my mum was diagnosed with bladder cancer: it was in its late stages. When she died not long after, I became depressed and my work started to suffer but then I started to think about how my mum had dealt with her stoma.

“She’d always been upset by other people’s reactions to it because it’s still seen as a taboo subject and she’d hated the clinical look of her pouch. Before she died, I’d started removing the covers and drawing on them to brighten them up and she loved that. I then decided to progress this idea and to use the bags in pieces of art – shoes, cushions, flowers and so on – in an attempt to change the context of them and to get people talking about stomas and related illnesses.

“I want to make people aware of bladder and bowel diseases so that if they start to show symptoms, they feel less afraid of going to the doctor, and can hopefully get an early diagnosis.

If I can save just one person having to go through what my mum did then my work will have done its job.”

Initially, when she embarked upon her project, Liz contacted the Colostomy Association for help in getting hold of pouches to make her artwork. They put her in touch with Salts Healthcare and a number of other suppliers and she now has around 10,000 reject pouches to use and she has a great plan to use quite a few of them in a single, interactive project.

“As part of my final degree course, I’m planning to make a double-sided duvet cover. If any Linkline readers would like to help me, they can send me a pouch cover featuring a message, a story, a drawing, a joke, any sort of decoration really, to give this piece a really personal touch. I’ve got plenty of reject pouches and am more than happy to send them out to anyone that would like to contribute.”

Salts’ Marketing Manager, Caroline Cowin said: “We get approached with many requests but nothing quite like this. We’ve all been impressed with Liz’s creations and the motive behind them and we’re delighted to support her by supplying her with reject pouches which would otherwise get thrown away. We can’t wait to see what she designs next.”

If you would like to help Liz, you can contact her via email at blimthepixie@btinternet.com, or write to her at 17 Mermaid Close, Walderslade, Kent, ME5 7PT.

Young IA events

It is very important for people with ileostomies or internal pouches to have the chance to meet others who have been through similar experiences. The Young IA weekend aims to help younger people meet other younger people, share experiences and make new friends, all in an informal setting. This year’s weekend is being held in Liverpool between 28-30 September and the plan is to see the many sights and sample the best in food and drink.

For more information about this year’s weekend, or any other events for younger people, please contact IA National Office on 0800 0184 724 or by e-mail to info@iasupport.org.

Anna braves the weather to tackle triathlon

Neither an illness, nor the fact that she has to wear a stoma pouch, can dampen Anna Rennie’s lust for life or prevent her from taking part in challenging activities. A lab assistant at Treliske Hospital in Cornwall, 33-year-old Anna took part in her fourth triathlon in Stratford-upon-Avon, in May, giving healthy competitors a run for their money and finishing in 12th place out of around 70 female entrants in her category. The event involved a 200m swim, followed by a 23km bike ride and a 2.5km run.

Looking at her now, you wouldn’t believe that just five years ago, Anna, who is from Truro, was in hospital wasting away due to Crohn’s disease and had to undergo a life-saving operation in which part of her colon was removed and an ileostomy was created.

Anna said: “Ostomists are just normal people, with normal lives. The only difference is that a natural bodily function occurs differently in people who have ostomies. You have to make some small adjustments but wearing a pouch doesn’t have to change your life in any drastic way. I’ve always been very competitive and nothing is going to get in the way of that.”

Anna’s performance in the triathlon has improved year on year and once again she was delighted to discover that she had moved up the ranks from 31st position in 2006 to 12th this year. “I try to push myself to the limit in every event I take part in, and I’m not aware of any other people competing in this event who have any sort of disability so I’m really proud to have done so well, particularly as the weather was appalling. It was an achievement just to complete the bike ride as there was so much water on the roads and the run was difficult as the route was like a bog after so much rain, but it was really exhilarating. I had a great time.”

Peter Salt, Managing Director of Salts Healthcare which has sponsored Anna in the event over the last four years, said: “Anna is a great ambassador for all those people who live with a stoma. She is one of the few people who is prepared to speak out about it and she is more than happy to prove, by taking part in events such as the triathlon, that you can have a stoma and still lead an active and fulfilling life. Salts is proud to support her and we are all delighted that she has once again achieved a remarkable result in the Stratford Triathlon.”

Anna took part in another triathlon in June and is hoping to organise a fundraising abseil later in the year. If that wasn’t enough, she has just undertaken a course in sword fighting at the British Academy of Dramatic Combat!

Anna is not only keen to raise awareness of the issues surrounding stomas, she also wants to raise money for the National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease. If you would like to make a secure donation to Anna’s ongoing fundraising campaign to help the charity, visit www.justgiving.com/annarennie.

UA invites members to NAGM

The Urostomy Association’s National Annual General Meeting is being held on 5th – 7th October at the Daventry Hotel, near Northampton.  The cost is £170 per person, covering Friday afternoon to Sunday - breakfast inclusive, or £35 for Saturday only.

For full details and booking forms please contact the National Secretary – Hazel Pixley on 01889 563191 or e-mail secretary.ua@classmail.co.uk. All members are welcome so why not come along and learn more about the Urostomy Association, see urostomy products in the suppliers’ exhibition and meet friends old and new.

Salts to link up with suppliers in fundraising golf day

For the third consecutive year, Salts staff are meeting up with suppliers from across the country to take part in a Golf Day to raise money for the Nottingham City Prostate Cancer Appeal this summer.

Organised by Salts rep, Rob Simons, the event is expected to attract around 18 teams of four to the Norwood Park course in Southwell, Nottinghamshire. Rob said: “With 27,100 men currently being diagnosed each year in the UK, prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in men, excluding non melanoma skin cancer. Nottingham City Hospital’s Urology Unit is recognised as a leading, specialist cancer centre in the East Midlands and treats up to 5,000 new patients a year. We are proud to support this campaign which will help them provide specialised equipment for research into developing new treatments and to administer the best possible care.”

New image for IA

It’s an exciting time for IA, as it launches its new logo and website and has been reviewing and developing new opportunities for communicating with people with ileostomies and internal pouches.

IA’s core values: listening, informing and supporting have made IA the dynamic organisation it is today and the new image has been developed with bright, fresh colours which you will see reflected in IA’s new leaflets and posters. The website is more user-friendly and includes lots of helpful information with separate sections for young people and for those with an internal pouch. Check out the new website at www.iasupport.org.

Wild day out at Safari Park

More than 100 people attended a Big Day Out at Woburn Safari Park in July and, while rain ruined the chance for many of them to enjoy a drive round the park itself, the event was a huge success.

The event, organised by Salts rep, Rob Simons, gave visitors – around 60 ostomists and their families and friends – the opportunity to listen to presentations, see new product ranges and meet Stoma Care Nurses from Milton Keynes General Hospital, staff from the Harlesden Medilink branch in London, and members of the marketing team from the Birmingham Head Office.

MD, Peter Salt took visitors back in time with his presentation on the 300+ year history of Salts, while Stoma Care Nurse Wendy Osborne provided hints and tips on skincare, and Orthotic Product Sales Specialist, Paul Haynes, talked about Techstep – Salts’ orthotics division.

Rob said: “The conference room was full to capacity and we were delighted to see so many of our customers at the event. Last year, we held our Big Day Out at Leicester City Football Club which was another hugely successful day. It’s nice to have the opportunity to invite customers to meet us away from a clinical environment at interesting venues, where they can feel more relaxed, and we’ll make sure we find somewhere equally exciting next year.”

Football match scores for charity

The long awaited re-match between Stores and Office staff from Salts Healthcare finally arrived and was well worth the wait.

The match, which ended in a gripping 2-2 draw, was played at the newly built
astro-turf pitch at Aston Hall, Birmingham in March, in aid of Comic Relief and Beating Bowel Cancer.

The first goal scored by AJ, who works in the despatch area, was thoroughly deserved as stores started the match as the better team. Stores continued to push at the Office team’s defence and luckily scored their second goal with a great strike by David Daley, who kindly stepped in to play for Stores at the last minute.

Straight after half time, the Office team captain, Mark Doran, hit a screamer past Stores goalkeeper Bob Mutsago, who got a hand to it but was not enough to stop the shot. Luckily, 10 mins before the end, Ben Stretton (replacement) scored to level out the match at 2-2.

The last 10 mins were full of drama with Stores and Office both hitting the cross bar in the last moments of the match and Adrian Priest clearing a shot off the line to keep the score a draw.

Both Scott Thompson and Mark Doran (Captains) agreed that it was a great re-match and that the draw was a fair result. Scott said: “We have raised a lot of money for both charities, even passing last year’s total of £172 by a considerable margin. This year, we’ve almost hit the £300 mark so thanks to everyone who’s supported us.”

Successful day at Murrayfield

An Open Day held in May at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh was a huge success, attracting around 200 visitors – including 110 current Medilink customers.

As well as being able to talk to Salts’ staff about the current ostomy product range, Gill Taylor from Salts’ Techstep Division was also on hand to talk to visitors about the range of orthotic shoes and diabetic footwear available. Ian Taylor, Salts Financial Director, as well as representatives of the Ileostomy Association and the Colostomy Association also attended.

Visitors also enjoyed the opportunity to have a relaxing head and neck massage and were able to enter a raffle to win a large George Foreman grill, which was won by Mrs Hannah Calder from Edinburgh. Everyone left with a goody bag of Salts’ products.

Cath compares level of care in Edward Salt Award study

Are we providing an adequate and appropriate level of follow-up care to bowel cancer patients? That was the question Colorectal Nurse Specialist Cath Powell wanted to answer when she entered the Edward Salt Award 2006.

Established in 2004, the Award is part of an initiative by Salts Healthcare to further promote ever-better standards of patient care - and offers the winning nurse the opportunity to carry out a work placement within any Acute Trust or community based coloproctology department within the UK.

After being informed that she had won the award, Cath chose to visit the Royal Marsden Hospital and the Homerton Hospital in London, the Manchester Royal Infirmary, and the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford to compare the service they provided with that provided at Llandough Hospital in Cardiff where Cath has worked for the past 15 years. She has recently completed her visits and presented her findings at the Association of Coloproctology Conference held in Glasgow in July.

“I was both excited and terrified at the same time when I discovered I’d won this award,” Cath said. “It’s a real honour to have this opportunity and one that I felt could really benefit our hospital as well as others offering similar services, but the prospect of speaking at the conference after I’d conducted my research was really daunting.”

Explaining the reasons behind her research, Cath said: “It had become apparent that there is no real consistency in follow-up care across UK hospitals. I wanted to look for examples of best practice across the four centres of excellence I was visiting and to use these to develop a policy for our own nurse-led follow-up clinic and to help improve other clinics across the country. This would enable us to work together to improve the service we provide and enhance the patient experience.

“The results showed that patients were subjected to a ‘postcode lottery’ in terms of the frequency and type of care that was offered and that there is a real need for standardisation as part of Colorectal Cancer Guidelines. I really hope that relevant departments in all our hospitals take note of my findings and put policies in force that will reduce waiting times, improve patient care and increase patient satisfaction as well as reducing unnecessary duplication of care and making more effective use of Consultant time.”

Staff News

Alison Roberts
Alison Roberts joined Salts earlier this year and is now working as a Community Stoma Care Nurse Advisor covering the Worcestershire and Warwickshire areas. Alison had previously worked within the NHS for 26 years, 17 of those in stoma care. She said: “Starting work with Salts is the best move I've ever made and I wish I'd done it years ago. I‘ve always enjoyed working in stoma care as you get a lot of satisfaction knowing that you've helped patients get through a difficult and emotional time and helped them get back on their feet. It's always nice getting positive feedback from them and when I do it always brings a lump to my throat and makes me feel very humble.”

A typical day for Alison could involve presenting to GPs, hospitals, and nursing homes – informing them of the latest innovations in surgery and new products; meeting the reps of various stoma care suppliers to keep up to date with products on offer; and visiting patients to help deal with problems such as sore skin, leakage and confidence issues. “Patients are inevitably anxious both before and after their operation and I'm there to help alleviate some of their worries and to see that they carry on leading a normal life. Seeing these people get better is what makes my job worthwhile and I love every minute of it.”

Rebecca Dale
Rebecca Dale is the new Customer Care Co-ordinator working at the Glasgow branch, having joined the Medilink team straight from school. She said: “I was keen to work in the healthcare industry so I was delighted to get the job with Medilink. It's been difficult getting to know all the different products but I'm just about there now and my colleagues Janice Knox and Pam Faichney have been very supportive. “The best part of the job is talking to our customers and it's lovely to be able to put a face to a name as quite a few of them call in to the branch to collect their orders as we are located right in the city centre.” Rebecca hopes to become a midwife in the future.

Glenda Watts
Broadway has had its team boosted following the appointment of Glenda Watts to Customer Care Co-ordinator. Glenda joins the Worcestershire branch after spending three years working for a company manufacturing and selling irrigation products in Evesham. She said: “I knew as soon as I saw the advert for the job, that this was for me and I was right – I'm really enjoying coming in to work in the mornings. It's a much smaller office environment than I'm used to as there are only three of us here but fortunately we all get along well. “We don't get many customers visiting the branch but it is always nice to speak to them on the phone and although it will take some time to really get to grips with all the products, it is rewarding to be doing a job in which you have a real sense of helping other people.”

Sheri Turner and Gill Waller
The desire to have a complete change of scenery has seen Customer Care Co-ordinator, Sheri Turner join the team at Redruth. She previously spent 12 years as a receptionist and sales co-ordinator at Booker Cash and Carry.Sheri said: “While I enjoyed my job at Booker, after 12 years in the job I wanted to be able to go home after a day's work and know that I'd done something worthwhile and you really do feel like you've achieved something here. “It's also nice to be able to get out and about and meet our customers as I carry out some of the deliveries as well as working in the office. They're all lovely people who always greet you with a smile. I'm thoroughly enjoying working here.” Gill Waller, who's been working at the Redruth branch since 2001 has now been promoted to Branch Manager. Gill said: “I‘ve always enjoyed working here and it's nice to have the opportunity to take on more responsibilities. I'm lucky to have a great team working with me and some lovely customers who help make my job very satisfying.”

Michelle Truscott and Valerie Williams
Michelle Truscott has been promoted to the role of Senior Customer Care Co-ordinator at Manchester after working at the branch for a year-and-a-half. Formerly working in a cut-throat commercial environment, Michelle says the transition to her new role was quite challenging. “The job I was in before was quite competitive which can often make you quite ruthless and selfish, whereas here, you are working to directly help people. When you're dealing with people who have real problems it makes you look at your own life in a completely different way and look at what your priorities in life should really be. I'm much happier now, and it's nice to know that I'm doing something that has a real impact on our customers' lives.”

Michelle has been joined by Valerie Williams, who is Manchester's new Customer Care Co-ordinator. Valerie joins Medilink after spending two years as an auxiliary nurse at Wythenshawe Hospital, working mainly in the chest clinic. “I'd become quite disillusioned in my previous job but wanted to stay within the healthcare sector as I particularly enjoy being able to help people get the most out of their lives, regardless of illness or injury, and am really enjoying my new job. Some of my family members have had stomas and this has given me a greater understanding of the associated problems as well as a lot of empathy with our customers.”

Jayne Matthews
Jayne Matthews has left her job working on the fragrance counter at Boots to become a Customer Care Co-ordinator at Cardiff. It's a strange career move but Jayne explains: “I took the job at Boots when my children started at high school, but before that I worked for years as a Customer Advisor at the Welsh Water Authority so I've come back to doing what I know best and what I enjoy the most – working with customers. I prefer working in an office environment to retail and it's nice to have the opportunity to do something to help people who are feeling ill and to try and cheer them up a bit when they call on the phone. They're all lovely people.”

CA News

The Colostomy Association is going from strength to strength and, thanks to the generosity of Salts Healthcare, it is planning for its first National Meeting in Sutton Coldfield in September.

The CA has recently arranged a Travel Insurance policy specifically for ostomates, which can be accessed via www.colostomyassociation.org.uk and has also reached an agreement with the National Key Scheme to offer RADAR keys to ostomates – please see the website for more details.

The association continues to produce its quarterly magazine Tidings, whilst also offering a 24 / 7 Helpline (0800 328 4257) and its literature is in the process of being updated to reflect the ever changing ‘stoma care’ world.

For further information please visit the website, call the Helpline, or write to 15 Station Road, Reading, Berkshire, RL1 1LG.

Are you getting your 5 a day?

While we all know we are supposed to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day as part of a healthy diet, there’s still some confusion as to what counts as a portion. Well, ponder no more. Here is some information taken from the website www.5aday.nhs.uk which helps make it clear.

• Fresh, frozen, chilled, canned, 100 per cent juice and smoothies all count, as do dried fruit and vegetables.
• Fruit and vegetables don't have to be eaten on their own to count. You can also include any vegetables found in soups, stews, sandwiches and other dishes.
• Fruit and vegetables contained in convenience foods like ready meals, pasta sauces, soups and puddings, also contribute to your 5 A DAY. However, these ready-made foods can be high in salt, sugar and fat, which should only ever be eaten in moderation, so it's important to check the nutrition information on the labels and packaging.
• Dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals do not count towards 5 A DAY. This is because many dietary supplements don't have the same nutritional benefits as fruit and vegetables.
• Potatoes and other related vegetables such as yams and cassava do not count. This is because they are classified as starchy foods.

What counts as a portion?

Fresh fruit: Small-sized fruit: 2 or more, for example 2 plums, 2 satsumas, 3 apricots, 2 kiwi fruit, 7 strawberries, 14 cherries, 6 lychees.

Medium-sized fruit: 1 medium fruit, such as 1 apple, banana, pear, orange, nectarine, or 1 sharon fruit.

Large fruits: half a grapefruit, 1 slice of papaya, 1 slice of melon (2-inch slice), 1 large slice of pineapple, 2 slices of mango (2-inch slices).

Dried fruit: 1 tablespoon of raisins, currants, sultanas, 1 tablespoon of mixed fruit, 2 figs, 3 prunes, 1 handful of banana chips.

Tinned fruit: Roughly the same quantity of fruit that you would eat as a fresh portion: 2 pear or peach halves, 6 apricot halves, 8 segments of tinned grapefruit.

Juices: A glass (150ml) of 100% juice (fruit or vegetable juice or smoothie) counts as 1 portion, but you can only count juice as 1 portion per day, however much you drink. This is mainly because it contains very little fibre. Also, the juicing process 'squashes' all the natural sugars out of the cells that normally contain them, which can be harmful for teeth - especially if you drink a lot of it in between meals.

Green vegetables: 2 broccoli spears, 8 cauliflower florets, 4 heaped tablespoons of kale, spring greens or green beans.

Cooked vegetables: 3 heaped tablespoons of cooked vegetables such as carrots, peas or sweetcorn.

Salad vegetables: 3 sticks of celery, 2 inch piece of cucumber, 1 medium tomato, 7 cherry tomatoes.

Tinned and frozen vegetables: Roughly the same quantity as you would eat as a fresh portion. For example, 3 heaped tablespoons of tinned or frozen carrots, peas or sweetcorn.

Pulses and beans: 3 heaped tablespoons of baked beans, haricot beans, kidney beans, cannelloni beans, butter beans or chick peas. Remember that beans and pulses do count, but only as 1 of the 5 portions, no matter how much you eat.

Potatoes and other related root vegetables: Because they are considered a 'starchy' food, potatoes don't count towards your 5 A DAY. (Starchy foods are foods like potatoes, rice, pasta and bread.) We’re not suggesting you don’t eat them, but they should form the ‘starchy carbohydrate’ part of your meal.

Letters have it

Please keep your letters coming in, with your comments and views, hints and tips to share with other readers, and your stories of achievement. Send them to Linkline Letters, Salts Medilink, Freepost RLUZ XJBU BZAH, Birmingham B7 4AA – no stamp required.

I received samples of your drainage stoma bags (Confidence Comfort Drainable) after seeing the bags at the Open Day at Huddersfield in April. I must congratulate you – they have the best flanges I’ve come across before. My stoma is on my waist and having a loose output, over the years, I’ve had several accidents. I always had to use extensions for extra security but even then I had problems, not to mention sore skin.

I am pleased to say I have now changed to using Salts pouches. I have no accidents, they are secure, I don’t need extensions, they are kind to the skin… what more can I say?
Sheila Rice, West Yorkshire

I would like to send a word of appreciation for the help and service that I receive from the staff at the Plympton (Plymouth) branch of Medilink. Whenever I ring Salts, I have a helpful and cheerful reply.
If I telephone an order to you, it is always delivered within two days. As I live three miles from the surgery, I appreciate your services very much. I am always notified of any new developments and given the opportunity to try them for myself.

I found the article in your Spring issue of Linkline about how a pouch is made most interesting and now appreciate even more the work that you put into making my life more comfortable.
Carol Smith, Newton Abbott

I have recently taken possession of some Comfizz stoma support briefs. I have not stopped wearing them since. They are so comfortable. I wish I’d had them years ago. I have an ileostomy and I have found they stop the dragging down feeling. I have just come back from a holiday where I have done a lot of sightseeing. Previously, I would have had an ache, but not this time. They are great. Thank you.
Mrs M Adams, Thornton Clevelys

Product News

New Pouches from Salts offer supersoft comfort.
Constantly striving to improve its product range to provide customers with the most effective and comfortable products possible, Salts Healthcare has added two new pouches to its Confidence range: Convex Supersoft Closed and Drainable. Read More...

Say Goodbye to sore skin with Salts Healthcare's new protective film.
Sore skin around the stoma, a result of leakage and trauma caused by the constant changing of a pouch, or allergy to the appliance, is one of the main problems suffered by ostomists but that’s all about to change. Read More...

Spray adhesive away with Salts Healthcare's new WipeAway Spray.
WipeAway sachets have been a favourite with Salts Healthcare customers since their launch several years ago and now ostomists have a choice of using the product in sachet or spray form. Read More...

Free Samples
For further information or to order a free sample of our new Confidence Convex Supersoft Drainable or closed pouch, Peri-Prep Sensitive, or WipeAway Spray call us on Freephone 0800 626388 or visit www.salts.co.uk