Founded in 1978, the association grew from South Africa’s pioneering specialist nursing movement into a professional association focused on education, representation, knowledge and the future of ostomy, fistula, wound and continence care.
Professional Association for Ostomy Wound Continence Nurse Practitioners is a not-for-profit professional association for nurses and healthcare professionals involved in ostomy, fistula, wound and continence care.
We support professional education, trusted resources, connection and representation across public and private healthcare. The association strengthens the professionals caring for people with ostomies, fistulae, continence needs, tubes, tissue-integrity concerns and surgical or draining wounds within this specialist scope.
Our history matters because specialist knowledge is built through practice, teaching and one generation supporting the next.
The association’s leadership is responsible for stewardship of its professional position and its service to members.
Its next chapter depends on professionals who are ready to learn, contribute and lead.