National Stomal Therapy Week
19-25 June 2023
Imagine ! What can you be ?
The AASTN is proud to present National Stomal Therapy Week 2023! This year we are celebrating the possibilities of ostomates and those that support them. These amazing supporters include families, carers, Ostomy Associations, industry, educators, stomal therapy nurses and other members of the health care team.
We invite you to share the ‘Imagine ! What can you be ?’ message utilising the poster, screensaver, email footer, selfie frame and T-shirt logos we have produced. We look forward to you ‘sending us your selfies’ via [email protected] of your local campaigns which will be loaded into the members section.
2023 'Imagine ! What can you be?' Campaign Material to Download
2022 'Together, We've Got This!' Campaign Material to Download
'Helping Solve the Stoma Puzzle' Documents to Download
Suggested activities to help celebrate National Stomal Therapy Week include:
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- A display of information related to bowel and stomas. Perhaps a stall or table inside the foyer of your hospital or local shopping centre
- Wearing of promotional t-shirts or caps by Stomal Therapy Nurses, Surgeons and Colorectal Ward Staff
- Collaborate with local groups for joint activities to be held through the week eg Cancer Council, Stoma Support Groups, Crohn’s and Colitis Association – how can they help?
- Contact the local radio station – ‘Interview with an STN’
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Look at some of the activities undertaken in previous years. Be sure to send us photos of your celebrations !
AASTN South Australia
Jill Fairhill
Calvary North Adelaide Hospital
Ostomy South Australia fundraiser
Gingerbread people with stomas
ICU STN week 2020
Sam, Julia and Helen Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District & Wollongong Private Hospital
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health district (Sam Julia and Brenda) & Wollongong Private Hospital (Helen).
Paula Moran Flinders Private Hospital SA
2A 2020 St Andrews Adelaide
Brenda’s Door Illawarra Shoalhaven
AASTN South Australia 2015
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District
Gingerbread person with a stoma
SA 2020
SA 2020
Nicole and Fiona SA 2020
2016 St Andrews Hospital
St Vincent’s Private Northside Hospital QLD
National Stomal Therapy Week (NSTW) is designed to both acknowledge and provide support to people living with a stoma and recognise those health professionals and support agencies involved in their care. Stomal Therapy Nurses (STN’s) from around Australia are encouraged to recognise, publicise and celebrate this important event by participating in a variety of activities to promote healthier living for people with stomas and raise awareness of the role of the STN.
The AASTN is appreciative of the support provided to ostomates and STN’s from our industry partners in the promotion of NSTW.
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The History of National Stomal Therapy Week.
In 1986 at the World Council of Enterostomal Therapists Congress in Perth, Western Australia, Mr Neal Blewett (Federal Minister for Health) announced approval for a week in June to be designated National Stomal Therapy Week. It was registered with the Health Department and was held annually beginning after the second Sunday in June.~ Keryln Carville February 2000, Updated 2004
To ensure a full week was able to be dedicated to NSTW awareness events, the Tasmanian Branch proposed that the dates of the NSTW be changed to avoid the Queen’s Birthday public holiday. The new dates of NSTW were agreed to be ‘starting on the Monday of the last full week of June’. ~ 2022 AASTN Annual General Meeting