'Bags of Knowledge' at stomal therapy conference.

Dunedin was the venue for NZNO's stomal therapy section national conference in October. The theme of the conference was Bags of Knowledge and the opening speaker was nurse consultant Janet Hewson, who holds a joint appointment between the Otago District Health Board (DHB) and the Otago Polytechnic School of Nursing. She spoke about Life-tong learning and the importance of embracing educational opportunities.

Otago District Health Board continence nurse specialist, along with neuro psychologist Glenda Wallace, gave a presentation on sexuality. Dunedin-based nurse practitioner (NP) Bernadette Forde talked about her journey to endorsement as a NP in mental health and intellectual disability.

The conference, attended by nearly 50 delegates from around the country, offered a well-balanced programme of both clinical and professional issues. Presentations included the development of laparoscopic bowel surgery, management of acute bowel obstruction in the terminally ill, the formation of neobladder, a patient's personal journey and the rote and development of nurse practitioners. All sessions were very well received.

The conference received great support from 18 stomal therapy supply companies, which provided informative trade displays. We thank them for their ongoing support.

The section's annual general meeting was also held and and a new national committee was elected. The new committee, which was scheduled to meet in early December, is Robyn Watson and Maree O'Connor, both from Otago DHB; Maria Stapleton, MidCentral DHB; Deborah Stroe, Bay of Plenty DHB; and Vicki Beban and Sue Wolynewics, both from Hutt Valley DHB. Thanks to the outgoing committee for all its work for the section during its two-year term and for organising this most successful confer

Report by stomal therapy nurses' section chair, Maree O'Connor