General Questions
Q. How do I become a member?
A. You can download a membership application on the 'Join Us' page, or join online on the national IA website, or you can request membership details from info@york-ia.org.uk. We will send you information about York IA and what we can offer you, together with a membership application form. Simply fill it in and return it to the Treasurer.
Q. How can I receive the quarterly IA Journal?
A. Every member of IA receives the journal every quarter free of charge. Simply follow the instructions for joining above and you will receive one automatically from our secretary.
Q. Is there somewhere that I can send surplus or unwanted stoma equipment?
A. Surplus supplies can be sent to
Jacob's Well
2 Ladygate,
Beverley,
East Yorkshire,
HU17 8BH
They send medical supplies to Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and will be pleased to receive any donations of this kind. From time to time we hold collections of used equipment at our meetings and take them there.
Q. What is a Radar Key and how can I obtain one?
A. RADAR is a national key scheme, allowing people to access specially adapted toilets, which are kept to avoid vandalism. A key costs £3.50 on declaration of disability, and a toilet guide is available at a cost of £5.00. Either may be obtained from:
National Key Scheme,
250 City Road,
London EC1V 5SF.
Tel. 020 7250 3222
e-mail radar@radar.org.uk
Website : www.radar.org.uk
Q. Have you any tips on diet?
A. IA publishes a leaflet entitled ‘Ileostomies and Eating Habits’, York IA normally has copies of these available at our regular meetings and you can collect one there or alternatively you can request via e-mail to info@york-ia.org.uk.
Q. Can you give me any exercise tips?
A. IA publishes a leaflet entitled ‘'Exercises for Ostomates', York IA normally has copies of these available at our regular meetings and you can collect one there or alternatively you can request via e-mail to info@york-ia.org.uk.
Q. Where can I obtain a Travel Certificate?
A. IA produces Travel Cards for both ileostomists and people with internal pouches. You can obtain one of these by contacting us via e-mail to info@york-ia.org.uk. The certificates are printed in English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic and Chinese.
Q. I have a water meter and because I need to flush my toilet more than normal I pay large bills. Is there any help for people with ileostomies and internal pouches with their bills?
A. Yorkshire Water (and most of the other water suppliers) run a scheme called WaterSure designed to help vulnerable people who have water meters with higher than normal usage. In order to qualify somebody in your household must be claiming an income based benefit and somebody must have a medical condition which results in increased water usage (Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, abdominal stoma etc.). The benefit caps your bill at 'normal usage', this means you will not be unfairly penalized for your condition. Futher details can be found on the Yorkshire Water Website.
