<h3>What we aim to achieve</h3>
The Foundation set out to give assistance to those people in Romania, including doctors, nurses and carers who were helping potential patients and existing patients to overcome problems associated with the formation of a stoma or urinary diversion. ROPSF’s aim is to do this by improving the availability of quality ostomy appliances for all patients and encouraging the development of patients support groups; as an extension of this to help establish a central organisation to support local groups.

A further aim is to facilitate research and training into bowel disease and bladder disease as well as screening to include the interchange of surgical and medical expertise between the UK and other EU countries and Romania.
<h3>What ROPSF has achieved and aims to achieve</h3>
Over the years ROPSF has facilitated the dispatch and distribution of many hundreds of shipments of ostomy products from the UK to hospitals across Romania for stoma patients. Today all Romanian stoma patients are entitled to a supply of ostomy products by way of prescription. Choice and availability of products still needs to be widened and improved especially where babies and very young children are in need of appliances. (See latest news)
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	<li>Since ROPSF’s inception several groups of Romanian nurses have been trained in practical stoma care. In 2012 an advanced group of Romanian stoma care nurses were trained as trainers in the UK in order to help their nurse colleagues in this area of care. This was a very successful joint exercise led by ROPSF and involving UK nurses and supported by ostomy manufacturers and industry.</li>
	<li>Further support in the area of stoma care is currently being developed in helping paediatric nurses and doctors to offer care for neonates, babies and very young children and in turn give guidance and support to the parents. Funding for this project is urgent and on-going. (See latest news)</li>
	<li>Over the years and as a continuing engagement ROPSF has developed and strengthened the relationship with senior medical personnel in government, the nursing professions and surgeons across Romania.</li>
	<li>As an example of this co-operation a major nationwide conference was arranged for patients, nurses and surgeons in Sinaia in May 2003. This was led by UK surgeons, physicians, nurses and UK ostomy patients all giving their time and working under the umbrella of ROPSF. This event was supported by the British Embassy in Bucharest and attracted over 700 participants and was well received.</li>
	<li>Romanian colorectal surgeons have visited UK hospitals and attended courses and seminars to witness and discuss new surgical techniques and several have been the guests of the Royal College of Surgeons, London.</li>
	<li>As an extension of this UK colorectal surgeons as well as UK ostomy patients have spoken at several major Romanian surgical conferences mainly to encourage closer patient involvement with the medical advisors and nurses.</li>
	<li>As part of the on-going development a high level group of nursing leaders was invited to the UK to witness leading edge stoma and wound care techniques at two of the country’s leading training establishments.</li>
	<li>Efforts have been made to improve the standard of ostomy equipment available for Romanian patients by encouraging western ostomy manufacturers to export to Romania. This continues to be pursued through Romanian ostomy supply companies in order to give patients a wider choice of appliances.</li>
	<li>Many medical centres have active Patient Support Groups. Bucharest now has close on 1000 members. The development continues and Romania now has representation as a member of the European Ostomy Association, a post that ROPSF encourages.</li>
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Today there is much greater awareness of the needs of stoma patients and many carers and others have been encouraged to help one another.