About us ...

Midlands IA, the Midlands Ileostomy Association, registered UK charity no. 1035577, is a regional grouping of charitable associations with the aim of helping those who have had, or are about to have, their colon removed or who have an ostomy or an internal pouch return to full and active lives.


The Midlands News Bulletin magazine is published by the Midlands IA, administered by an executive committee meeting twice yearly. All IA groups within the Midlands are invited to participate. Midlands IA also administers the Florence Minnie Lees Bequest Fund, providing financial help to members in need.


The magazine provides an effective means of distributing local information along with the latest developements in stoma care. A5 sized and published in March, July and November, all the production work - which is considerable - is done by a dedicated team of volunteers.


Distributed free of charge to members of participating groups, which cover a wide area stretching from Derbyshire and South Humberside in the north, Lincolnshire in the east, Swindon and Gloucestershire in the south and Shropshire and beyond in the west. Copies are also received by hospitals and clinics in the area and the magazine is also available on audio cassette for blind or partially sighted members.


The Midlands News Bulletin is almost unique in that its advertising pages are seen as of equal importance to readers as the main text and our production costs are met solely by advertising revenue.


Origins: Publication began in 1957, soon after IA was first formed in Birmingham. A typewritten A4 newsletter was then distributed to keep members in touch. A printed News Bulletin with advertising replaced the newsletter in 1967. Financial success enabled many improvements to be made and regular features like news reports, ostomy product information, details of forthcoming events, photographs, articles and letters appeared. A new A5 page format commenced in 1986 with full colour advertising pages, which has now been extended to full colour throughout the whole magazine.


In 1997 the decision was taken to improve production methods by moving to computer desk top publishing (DTP). Although Midlands IA is proud of its achievements to date, it is fully committed to maintain and improve its high standards into the future.