Claire has worked in Colorectal Surgery since 1988 and have been fortunate to specialise in Stoma Care since 2001. She has found this to be an extremely rewarding career despite being challenging at times. Claire now leads the North Bristol Trust (Southmead) of the role, and values being a part of a passionate, committed and progressive team. She Stoma Team, enjoying all aspects of the role, and values being a part of a passionate, committed and progressive team. She zupports her team's development and strives to constantly develop the service whilst keeping patients as the focus of all that they do.

Emily Hooker is paediatric colorectal nurse specialist at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, with extensive experience in stoma care and bowel management. Emily qualified as a paediatric nurse in 2014 and became a Colorectal Nurse Specialist in 2020. She has a background in neonatal surgical care and is passionate about improving stoma care standards, education, and evidence-based practice. She is an active member of the UK Paediatric Stoma Nurse Group.

Gail Fitzpatrick, Lead Nurse for the Colorectal Service since 1998, has over 40 years’ experience in paediatric surgery. A pioneering nurse specialist, she established the UK’s first Paediatric Stoma Care and Continence course and has received national recognition for her contributions to stoma care. She remains actively involved in education, research, and service development.

Melanie is the Lead Stoma Clinical Nurse Specialist at Chelsea and Westminster Foundation Trust, with over 20 years experience in stoma care. She feels passionately about the vital role stoma nurses play within the lives of patients when they are at their most vulnerable, empowering them to physically recover and psychologically adapt. More recently she has had a pivotal role in establishing a dedicated nursing service for J-pouch patients within her organisation, developing the patient pathway and integrating new specialists into the MDT to provide a more holistic service.

Natasha began her nursing career at St Thomas’ hospital in London in the early 1990’s and held her first stoma care nurse post there, much later taking the Lead Stoma Care Nurse Specialist post in the Bristol Royal Infirmary in 2017. Natasha was elected as Honorary Chair of ASCNUK in 2025, following a term as Treasurer, a role she views as an honour and privilege. In this capacity Natasha has led on the Advancing Stoma Care Services project for ASCNUK, driving meaningful and lasting change in stoma care service nationally and a recognition of the unique value of this specialist profession.

Professor Ian Peate is a prominent figure in the fields of nursing and health care. He is the Editor-in-Chief for British Journal of Nursing; founding Consultant Editor for Journal of Paramedic Practice and Consultant Editor for International Journal for Advancing Practice. He was the Consultant Editor Journal of Operating Department Practitioners. Ian is a respected nurse academic, author and editor with extensive experience in education and practice. He has authored and edited numerous textbooks and articles on nursing and health care, contributing significantly to the literature. His career has spanned various roles, including clinical nursing, nurse education and leadership positions. Ian is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing and was awarded an OBE for his services to Nursing and Nurse Education.