ILEOSTOMY ASSOCIATION
(VIC) INC
Suite 322 3rd Floor, Block Arcade 98 Elizabeth St Melbourne
VIC, 3000
PO BOX 32,
Flinders Lane, 8009
Tel (03) 9650 9040
Fax (03) 9650 1723
more details >
A Melbourne colorectal surgeon Mr E.S.R. Hughes (later Sir E.S.R. Hughes) while furthering his studies in the USA saw the benefits of bringing Ostomates together as a support group where they could discuss how they managed their problems.
Mr E.S.R Hughes on returning to Australia, gathered together a group of Ostomates in Melbourne in May 1957 and the first Association in Australia was born. Again it was mainly a support group as all appliances had to be purchased by the members, which led to the members buying the appliances in bulk to reduce the cost.
The original name of the Ileostomy Association of Victoria was the QT Association of Victoria and as associations were formed in other states they also started out using QT as their name. Q&T being the two wards in the American hospital for Ostomy Patients.
With the formation of the national body ACSA and the introduction of a government scheme to issue a limited number of appliances being issued to Ostomates in the 1960's, the role of Associations started to change from not only support but to distribution as well. The support role widened further as Stomal Therapy Nurses were introduced plus the expansion of the Stoma Appliance Scheme.
From one Association with less than 30 members in 1957, there are now 22 Associations and over 35,000 Ostomates registered with the Australian Associations. Australia is unique in that all Ostomates belong to an Association as it is a condition set by the Government to receive free Appliances under Medicare Australia.
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