Welcome to the Kangaroo Club

The Kangaroo Club was the very first support group to be set up for ileo-anal pouch patients in 1991 at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. An ileo-anal pouch involves the removal of the colon and rectum and the replacement of the rectum with a reservoir made out of small intestine. It is now the operation of choice for most individuals suffering with Ulcerative Colitis or FAP (familial adenomatous polyposis).

The group was initially set up as it was felt by a number of individuals to be an area where support following surgery was vital. As these patients no longer had an ileostomy, they considered themselves ineligible to see the stoma care nurse, however they still experienced many problems unique to pouch patients and still required professional advice and support, hence the Kangaroo Club was born.

Having undergone this very specialist surgery, very few people had any idea what "a pouch" was, often including GP's. The stomatherapy team were instrumental in providing structured support and reassurance to both patients and other health care workers throughout the UK. This continues today, with the addition of extensive literature highlighting areas such as anal irritation, effective pouch emptying and pelvic floor exercises. In the future it is hoped that a dedicated nurse "Clinical Nurse Specialist Pouch Care" will hold specific nurse-led clinics for anyone with an ileo-anal pouch needing help/support either physically or psychologically.

Regular meetings, both formal and informal, provide a great source of encouragement and support. This opportunity of bringing people together who are willing and able to share their experiences is found to be invaluable to patients.

The Kangaroo Club is also pursuing the role of communication skills when talking to fellow pouch carers, their partners or potential pouch care.

Twice yearly the Kangaroo Club issues a newsletter with some useful tips and experiences from other pouch owners which are said to be "priceless" in the early days when getting to know your pouch.