HITs join forces to support stroke patients with continence issues

Sixty five people joined a free event at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) on 19 November to find out more about supporting patients with continence issues following a stroke. 

The event was jointly organised by our Stroke Health Integration Team (HIT)’s Education, Training and Skills Group and the Bladder and Bowel Confidence HIT and funded by UWE Bristol and Bristol Health Partners. 

The day brought together health care professionals working with people who had experienced stroke in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Through presentations and breakout sessions, delegates learned and discussed with others how best to support individuals whose continence has been affected by stroke. 

Topics covered included: 

• Stopping the leak: rehabilitating post-stroke bladder problems   
• Continence through the stroke lens 
• Pelvic floor training for bladder and bowel health 
• Continence assessments 
• Cultural differences in continence   
• Continence aids 

Between sessions, delegates could network and find out more at stalls run by our local Bladder and Bowel Services, Bristol After Stroke and continence product suppliers BD, Ontex and Clinisupplies Limited 

Plenty of connections were made across the stroke treatment and care pathway, and delegates left with more confidence and knowledge to help patients.

 Stroke HIT co-director Claire Fullbrook-Scanlon said:

“It was a pleasure to work with the BABCON HIT to design and deliver the first dedicated stroke and continence day for healthcare professionals in our region, and we look forward to collaborating again.”

Thank you to our speakers: 

• Claire Fullbrook-Scanlon, Senior Lecturer in Independent Prescribing and Stroke Care, UWE Bristol (Stroke HIT co-director)
• Dr Clare Gordon, Senior Research Fellow and Stroke Consultant Nurse, Stroke Research Team, University of Central Lancashire 
• Professor Nikki Cotterill, Professor of Nursing in Continence Care, Centre for Health and Clinical Research, UWE Bristol (BABCON HIT co-director)
• Susan Beber, Stroke Community Nurse 
• Helen Oxenham, NHS Bladder and Bowel Service provided by Sirona
• Gemma Holden, Operations Manager, Bristol After Stroke 
• Jen Pinkstone, Pelvic Health Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner, Perinatal Pelvic Health Services Lead, North Bristol NHS Trust
• Monira Chowdhury, BNSSG diverse Research Engagement Network