Two families attended for the first time. One of these families said that the venue being outside London actually allowed them to attend as they need wheelchair access and find London very difficult to get around. They would attend another meeting in the Ebbisham Centre.

The second family have a child on enteral feeding and it was the first time she had met other people with “tubes”. This alone was a positive experience. They would also attend another meeting in the future.

Subjects discussed ranged from the need for standardised care throughout the health care system to waterproof dressings suitable for protecting lines when swimming.

One person asked about the availability of a card which could be used when access to a toilet is required and a public convenience is not immediately available. Apparently NACC ( National Association for Colitis and Crohn’s Disease) produce such a card called “Can’t Wait “, the association helpline will provide more information and you don’t have to be a member to seek help from them. Telephone number 0845-130-2233.

Lively discussion on the value of peer support within the group and PINNT membership generally. The ability to talk to like minded and like bodied people within the meeting setting was appreciated.

A raffle raised £16 for PINNT funds.

Tea and coffee were provided by PINNT. The in house café supplied these at a cost of £22.00 for thirty hot drinks. I supplied biscuits, some sweets and cold drinks. Alana supervised the children’s table where we supplied a small range of activities including magic painting, cutting and sticking, drawing and looking at books.

The group have agreed to offer to host a larger South of England meeting and Patrick Hastings will approach the executive committee about this. Our next meeting will be in March 2005.