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IBD matters.

editor — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:05:10 +0000

The social dimension of IBD is often forgotten. Having to plan your day according your bowels and which toilets are nearby and clean etc. makes an already potentially distressing condition even worse. Also because of embarrassment, it often difficult for patients with IBD to talk about their illness with employers.

On the 31st of January, South Wales MP Chris Evans used a debate in the House of Commons to raise awareness of the employment difficulties faced by those with IBD. “Many of those who live with Inflammatory Bowel Disease suffer in silence; too embarrassed or afraid to speak openly about a condition which affects every aspect of their day to day life. By calling for this debate I hope to raise awareness of a condition that affects 250,000 people in the UK.Despite the challenges of living with the illness, there is no reason that people with the disease cannot realise their potential. Employers, health professionals and MP’s all have a role to play in ensuring that there is a greater understanding for those with fluctuating conditions such as IBD.”

This was a big step forward in the campaign to keep people with IBD in work and is thanks to numerous media volunteers up and down the country who have spoken up about the challenges they face in the workplace and as students. The microsite illustrating the main points is still online if you would like to look at it: www.GoodDeskBadDesk.com.

Communication, communication, communication.

editor — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:51:02 +0000

From time to time, we send out communications via the JISC mail. These are generic mailshots, aimed at everyone in the Society.

Can you all be careful that you use the email secretariat@pcsg.org.uk if you want to reply on any issues raised? Otherwise your reply goes to every other member and not everyone really needs to know that you spell Crohn's with a K...........a hypothetical example of course.

The 2012 PCSG endoscopy conference

editor — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:42:28 +0000

We now have the programme for the Endoscopy conference for 2012 and I have enclosed it together with the booking form under our conference brochures section which is under downloads. It looks like it's going to be a great day so apply now! You should have all also had an email from the PCSG with details of booking but let us know if you have any queries.

The Winter JPCSG

editor — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:03:18 +0000

Before we all start getting sunburn I though it would be a good idea to put out the Winter issue of the Journal out. You can find it under downloads and then JPCSG. We have a gamut of excellent articles on subjects ranging from eosinophilic oesophagitis through to the diagnosis of coeliac disease.

While I clean the ink off the presses, I urge you all to think about contributing to the next issue or else give me some ideas of what you would like to see. Any case histories? Any controversies you want explored? I await your Dylanesque sobriquets.

By the way, those of you who use Internet explorer may notice some of the pics on the Home page are strangely missing. No, I don't why either but I'm working on it. Mozilla and Safari works well though not that I'm suggesting anything.

The Endoscopy Event in Birmingham (or anywhere else for that matter)

editor — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:41:25 +0000

We have tried/ not tried (please delete according to which camp you are in) to get the HS2 set up in time but it looks likely that it won't be ready.

For what you cry? For Aston Villa to travel to Wembley for the FA Cup. No, something that is not science fiction!

Yes!!! The PCSG annual endoscopy conference! 2011 was a great success and we want to provide yet another runaway event. The speaker names are still under wraps (well, in the hands of lawyers, actually) but we will have a programme posted soon and don't forget members can attend for free!

So keep the 23rd March free and come to Birmingham. Can't promise Jenny Agutter waving her bloomers but get your train tickets now!

(For the sake of our younger members, Jenny Agutter was in The Railway Children and .....well, she...and the train stopped.... don't why I bother sometimes....bad enough I have to explain who Led Zeppelin were.....)

Endoscopy meetings

editor — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:28:25 +0000

For those of you involved in endoscopy, I want to bring to your attention some events which are coming up soon. If you mention you are a PCSG member, the organisers have agreed to give a £50 discount on each full price place booked.

Decoding Flexible Endoscope Decontamination Compliance
Tuesday 1st May 2012, DoubleTree by Hilton, Leeds
http://www.sbk-healthcare.com/endoscopy/decoding-flexible-endoscope-decontamination-compliance-dp12

Decoding Flexible Endoscope Decontamination Compliance
Tuesday 20th June 2012, Maple House, Birmingham
http://www.sbk-healthcare.com/endoscopy/decoding-flexible-endoscope-decontamination-compliance-dp13

Decoding Flexible Endoscopy Decontamination Compliance
21st February 2012 and will be at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Manchester
http://www.sbk-healthcare.com/endoscopy/decoding-flexible-endoscope-decontamination-compliance-dp5