Bladder & Bowel UK Newsletter June 2019
2 BBUK SYMPOSIUMS IN 2020 New event in Coventry
IBS Self-care for your patients
WORLD BEDWETTING DAY June Rogers MBE provides feedback
BBUK BOWEL & PAEDIATRIC STUDY DAYS Limited places available
RCN FOUNDATION Financial support for nurses
Charity number: 224742
STOP PRESS!
STOP PRESS!
2 BBUK Symposiums in 2020 bringing our CPD events near to you! Ricoh Arena, Coventry Tuesday 3rd March 2020 & USN Bolton Arena, Horwich, Bolton Wednesday 30th September 2020 Health & Social Care Professionals have travelled from all corners of the UK to attend the BBUK Symposium in Bolton. Each year we are oversubscribed. You have asked if we can organise a Symposium a little further 'south'. We are delighted this will happen in 2020.
We have gone one better, we are having 2! Watch out for further information.
Explore Our Key Features
Introducing your patients with IBS to self-care..............................................................................4 Why should Children's Specialist Nurses come to Kidz to Adultz Wales & West?........................7 The BBUK Online shop..................................................................................................................8 Adult Bowel Education Day............................................................................................................9 Paediatric Continence Promotion Day.........................................................................................10 World Bedwetting Day feedback..................................................................................................12 Annual Enuresis Award................................................................................................................14 Spotlight on BBUK services.........................................................................................................15 Lamplight Support Service & Hardship Fund...............................................................................16
Highlighting Support of the BBUK Helpline
www.bbuk.org.uk/helpline-supporters
Introducing Your Patients with Irritable
Up to one in five individuals in the UK are affected by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a longterm condition that affects the functioning of the digestive system. Often with debilitating symptoms including painful bloating, abdominal discomfort and extreme bowel changes, the condition may be persistent or flare up at times of heightened stress, emotional trauma or anxiety. If you have IBS, it’s sadly likely that you’ll feel embarrassed and frustrated by the symptoms that impact daily life. Debra Thomas BSc Registered Dietitian, says, “IBS can be debilitating and can have a significant impact on the lives of sufferers and even their families. People report avoidance behaviour such as refusing invitations for nights out, shopping and even holidays. It can also affect work negatively, with sufferers needing time off to manage their symptoms or visit their GP, but it can even affect the way people work in avoiding meetings.” Last year, a study by PrecisionBiotics found a staggering 48% of people thought to be suffering with IBS, put off going to see their doctor because of embarrassing bowel symptoms and miss out on the essential help they need.
As a result of the impact IBS symptoms can have on daily life, the condition can also have a psychological impact on a person, resulting in mental illnesses such as depression. Maintaining a healthy mindset along with managing IBS symptoms with self-care is important, as our mind and body are in tune with one another, and vice versa. Try these four steps to manage your selfcare with IBS. Exercise If constipation is a symptom you struggle with from IBS, exercise can be effective in calming these symptoms. Regular activity helps to keep the digestive system moving and regular exercise is not only essential for maintaining a healthy body, but also a healthy mind.
Bowel Syndrome to Self-Care Relaxation As we lead busy lives, it’s easy to forgo selfcare when the washing needs doing, a report needs submitting or daily life in general gets in your way. But taking care of yourself with simple adjustments can be an essential part of your daily routine, ensuring you make the most of your leisure time, not only for your mind, but the body too. Yoga is a great practice if you don’t enjoy high intensity workouts. Focusing on structured breathing exercises and complete mind-body synchronisation will not only help you relax, but ensure your body is moving and flowing to encourage healthy digestion. Sushma Manish PGDip, Ayurvedic yoga therapist details the benefits of yoga and digestion: “Yoga is all about attuning to the core of who we really are. We are complete, and to realise it we need to look within ourselves and be more vigilant about energy within, and our breathing. When we practise breathing techniques like pranayama (breath control), our mind calms down and everything becomes aligned. “The tridoshas (biological energies with the body that govern both physical and mental processes in the body) which keep fluctuating, come to a balance. This helps in proper secretion of digestive juices and leads to the correction of digestion. There is a close relation between the gut and mind as the practice of Ayurveda (a historical medicinal practice with Indian roots) has been highlighting for ages. Simple postures like the vajrasana (thunderbolt pose), padmasana (lotus pose), tadadana (mountain pose) and pranayama (breath control) will help a great deal.” If, however, you haven’t exercised regularly or the thought of exercise makes you uneasy, try a non-conventional form of exercise: dancing to your favourite playlist in your bedroom, jigging to the radio when doing the washing or simply going for a walk with a friend.
Instead of sitting on the sofa in the evening, try lying flat, with your arms outstretched. Lying flat helps to release tension in muscles and joints and encourages easy blood flow around the body. This leads on to ensure you get enough sleep. If you’re struggling to sleep due to pain and discomfort, soothe those physical pains with a hot water bottle or non-caffeinated drink. Heat can help relax cramping muscles which may be stopping you drift off to sleep. Good quality sleep is essential for the body to recover from exertion, both physical and mental. Mental Health Our mind is incredibly receptive to our physical body, and vice versa. If one is out of whack, the other is sensitive to this unbalance. Our bodies are in tune with our minds, and if you suffer with anxiety, it’s possible your IBS symptoms may flare up at times of heightened anxiety. Maintaining a healthy mind can be highly effective in your treatment for IBS, with a variety of treatments available including talk therapies, CBT and other forms of medication that your GP can advise.
This is particularly important in managing everyday stressors and your IBS. Stress The research published by PrecisionBiotics found stress to be the biggest trigger for IBS, so it’s helpful to learn effective coping mechanisms for everyday stressors. Relaxation therapies including mindfulness and daily meditation practice can help to focus the mind in the present, and give yourself a little headspace. Complementary therapies such as Hypnotherapy, recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence as a treatment option for IBS, can be highly effective in relieving stress and anxiety, using the power of suggestion and the deep unconscious.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome can often be a lonely condition, with complicated or misunderstood symptoms making leaving you isolated and embarrassed. If symptoms become so debilitating that they affect your everyday life, and essentially the quality of your life, it may be time to speak with a professional, whether that’s your doctor, counsellor or nutritional therapist. You might also discover that you aren’t alone with those closest to you when it comes to IBS. It’s important to consult your GP or qualified nutritional therapist before trying new dietary approaches or supplements. www.nutritionist-resource.org.uk Written by Katie Hoare Nutritionist Resource
The Hydration Foundation The Hydration Foundation was established to raise funds to be able to deliver the multiple award winning Hydrant hands free drinking systems free of charge to vulnerable people in community. See www.hydrateforhealth.co.uk for more information. As such we would like to offer Hydrants free of charge to those who need them, and to the professionals who support them. All we need to know is where to send them to so if people are interested they should simply send us an email with a delivery address to request@thehydrationfoundation.org Vist www.thehydrationfoundation.org for more information.
Why Should Children's Specialist Nurses Come to Kidz to Adultz Wales & West? A Disabled Living Event Date Thursday 4th July 2019 Time 9.00am - 4.30pm Venue Thornbury Leisure Centre, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, BS35 3JB (The centre sits opposite Thornbury Golf Club/turn right at the bottom of Alveston Hill)
6 FREE CPD accredited seminars are running alongside the exhibition. Entry is free on a first come, first served basis. With 100+ exhibitors the event is a one stop shop for the most up to date information and advice on equipment, products, services funding and much more. Discover the latest innovations, technology and services that are changing the face of the disability world all under one roof, in a totally accessible venue.
Reasons to attend
To update your knowledge on the most up to date toileting equipment Come along to Davina's seminar 'The Why, When, Where and How of Toileting Training Children with Additional Needs' To link with organisations who support children with disabilities who may have bladder and/or bowel problems To discuss clinical and product issues with the BBUK team
New! 3rd Edition of the Kidz to Adultz Magazine Davina Richardson, Children's Specialist Nurse at BBUK has been featured in the 3rd edition of Disabled Living's Kidz to Adultz Magazine.
'Understanding Common Bowel Problems in Children with Additional Needs' See pages 26 - 28
Read the magazine online via: https://issuu.com/disabledliving/docs/kidz_t o_adultz_magazine_may_2019_5f60025e6 9c5ff?e=26748259/69937990
Visit Bladder & Bowel UK's Online Shop
Visit: www.bbuk.org.uk/online-shop/ or call: 0161 607 8219
We are delighted to be working in partnership with Complete Care Shop to provide you with a comprehensive online shopping facility for equipment and products to make life easier. Complete Care Shop has over 250,000 in stock items at competitive prices offering you choice from a wide range of manufacturers including disposable pads, pants, urinals, bedding protection, disposal and reusable bed and chair pads, wipes, gloves and a whole lot more. The main advantage of purchasing via the Bladder & Bowel UK website, is the opportunity for you or your clients to speak to Continence Specialists for free impartial help and advice, ensuring unnecessary purchases are not made.
Adult Bowel Education Day
Price ÂŁ25 per delegate Venue Manchester
Thursday 26th September 2019 Are you a Healthcare Professional who works with adults in bowel care? Would it be beneficial to network with other professionals? Would you like to join a group and attend an education event where you can share ideas and benchmark evidence based practice? This interactive day offers Healthcare Professionals an opportunity to attend a variety of educational presentations and workshop sessions. It provides a platform to network with others who work with patient with bowel problems and attend the company exhibition and update on, current treatment, products and management options. In addition, you can join the group for ongoing virtual networking and support. This event provides an excellent opportunity to obtain CPD evidence providing 4 hours of participatory learning and is relevant to all nurses working within the continence arena
and will contribute towards the 20 hours of participatory learning required for re-validation. Topics to include: Cauda Equina Syndrome continence management Constipation, IBS Diarrhoea treatment and management , overview and case studies Pelvic pain management Update on bowel award winners project, MFT and SIA joint project – bowel management & HCP education in spinal cord injury Advanced management of faecal incontinence, constipation and obstructed defecation
"It was a brilliant day. All training, networking and company reps stalls was very beneficial for my role. I learnt so much on the day, a valuable update for my knowledge. I look forward to the next event."
Visit the Training BBUK section of our website under Professionals for more information: www.bbuk.org.uk
Paediatric Continence Promotion Day
Price £25 per delegate Venue Manchester
Thursday 17th October 2019
Are you a healthcare professional who is supporting children with bladder & bowel problems? Would it be beneficial to network with other professionals? Would you like to join a group where you can share ideas and benchmark evidence based practice? This interactive day offers Healthcare Professionals working with children and young people with bladder and bowel problems an opportunity to attend a variety of educational presentations and workshop sessions. It provides a platform to network with others attend the company exhibition , update on current treatment, products and management options. In addition, you can join the group for ongoing virtual networking and support. This event provides an excellent opportunity to obtain CPD evidence providing 4 hours of participatory learning and is relevant to all nurses working within the continence arena and will contribute towards the 20 hours of participatory learning required for re-validation.
Topics to include: Autism related challenges Excellence in continence care ‘Right to Go’ update issues in schools Enuresis award winners Bowel Management and Investigations
"An excellent day, great presentations and as usual after a day spent with like-minded people with common purpose, I came away inspired and fortified. There’s so much to learn! Again, many thanks for your expertise."
Visit the Training BBUK section of our website under Professionals for more information: www.bbuk.org.uk
BBUK Training
Bladder & Bowel UK (BBUK) has a strong focus on education for healthcare professionals, promoting excellence in clinical care. Did you know that BBUK offers training on: Continence Awareness Assessment and Management Bowel Assessment and Digital Rectal Examination All Aspects of Catheterisation These courses are prepared, delivered and facilitated by continence specialist nurses who have a wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience within the speciality. The courses are available on to NHS organisations and the independent sector.
Courses can be adapted to meet your needs and fulfil organisational requirements. Education can be delivered at your venue or a venue can be provided by BBUK as part of an overall package. For further information please contact BBUK on: Tel: 0161 607 8200 Email: bbuk@disabledliving.co.uk
Here's what our delegates have to say... Good value for money Thank you for another excellent day Excellent variety of speakers
Report on World Bedwetting Day 2019
World Bedwetting Day was started in 2015 by the International Children’s Continence Society (ICCS) and the European Society for Paediatric Urology (ESPU) to raise awareness about this common medical condition. The theme focuses on ‘Time to Take Action’ as so much more can be done to diagnose and treat the condition.
Bedwetting is one of the most common medical conditions of childhood, affecting around 20% of children at age 5 years and about 7% of 10 year olds. However it remains a condition that is often ignored in the mistaken belief that it is something that is a ‘normal’ part of childhood and that most children will ‘grow out of’ bedwetting over time. However, at Bladder & Bowel UK we know that that is not the case. Those children with the severest form of bedwetting, i.e. wetting 3 nights per week or more, may continue to wet the bed throughout childhood and into their teens without treatment. As a result of the negative impact bedwetting can have on the child and family, early treatment from age five years is recommended. By raising awareness of bedwetting as a common condition that can be treated, World Bedwetting Day aims to encourage families
to discuss bedwetting with their healthcare professional and get the help they need. To help ensure that healthcare professionals, families, children and young people understand that bedwetting is a treatable condition Bladder & Bowel UK undertook a number of initiatives for World Bedwetting Day 2019. These included: Developing two short YouTube videos covering the causes and treatments of bedwetting 1. www.youtube.com/watch? v=6RHEZv4hTcQ#action=share 2. www.youtube.com/watch? v=WE4Y8I6f_3Y#action=share Updating the MindEd e-learning programme about wetting www.minded.org.uk/Component/Details/44 5727 Posting information about bedwetting on social media
Writing and publishing two blogs regarding the importance of recognising bedwetting as a medical condition and treating appropriately https://www.bbuk.org.uk/blog/bedwettingday-time-to-take-action/ https://www.bbuk.org.uk/blog/worldbedwetting-day-working-with-others/ The Bladder & Bowel UK team would be really interested in seeing what others have done for this annual event, which always takes place on the last Tuesday in May. Because of the significant impact that bedwetting has on children and families Bladder & Bowel UK has developed a
National Enuresis Award, to help recognise those individuals and services who go out of their way to improve the care and support of children and young people with bedwetting. The winner of the Award will receive £500 plus travel and accommodation (if necessary) to attend the Bladder & Bowel UK Children’s Continence Education Day on 17th October 2019. Further information regarding the Award can be found on our website via: www.bbuk.org.uk/enuresis-award/ June Rogers Children's Specialist Nurse
Welcome to the Supplier Directory
The Disabled Living Supplier Directory provides information about companies and organisations that provide equipment, products and services to support disabled children, adults and older people. You'll find the Supplier Directory on our website: www.disabledliving.co.uk
Spotlight on BBUK Services: Helpline How do we contact you? The helpline is available Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 4.00pm. We are also contactable by email: bbuk@disabledliving.co.uk
So who contacts us? General public and their relatives/carers. Health and Social Care Professionals and other groups such as teachers/assistants, nursing and residential homes. We may also be contacted by other organisations such as charities and support groups.
Duration of calls we receive? We receive a large number of calls, each day to both the helpline or via our email service. Enquiries may range from a quick question being answered, but more often, enquiries to the helpline are more detailed, requiring us to dedicate time with the caller, to go through their concerns or query.
Why do people contact us?
National Confidential Bladder & Bowel Helpline number is: 0161 607 8219
General public contact us for a number of reasons. Some may request information on continence products, aids and appliances. Some are unaware of the existence of local bladder and bowel services and are surprised when we inform them that things can be done to treat, improve or better manage their situation. We always try to suggest they present for assessment and to signpost or put them in touch with their local services, so they can access the help they need locally. We may also signpost to other charities or organisations.
The RCN Foundation – Lamplight Support Service & Hardship Fund
As a member of the RCN for 32 years, I was very aware of the support given from the RCN Foundation for Project and Bursary grants but did not know about the RCN Lamplight Support Service and Hardship Fund. I thought I would share this excellent snippet of information with you! Karen Irwin, BBUK About the RCN Foundation We’re here to support every member of the nursing team as they care for patients and improve the UK's health and wellbeing. Our grants for nursing-led research and projects, as well as education and hardship, support professionals to innovate develop their careers and get through tough time. We champion the nursing team and its achievements, celebrating the difference it makes to people’s lives. Everything we do is based on solid evidence, and we share our vital insights to help improve practice. Our investment in the profession helps raise its profile and inspire the best patient care.
To support us or get help please visit: www.rcnfoundation.org.uk or call 020 7647 3645 How we can help Project grants - Our Grants Programme provides funding for clinical research and supports innovative projects which make a difference to service development and the safety, quality and dignity of patient care. Bursary schemes - Our scholarships and bursaries fund a wide variety of learning and development opportunities, providing the support individuals need to make a difference to quality patient care
Hardship funding - Through the RCN Foundation Lamplight Support Service, we provide vital services to help members of the nursing team get their lives and careers back on track in times of need. The lamplight Support Service offers current As an independent charity, we're here for every or previous Nurses, Midwives and Healthcare Tourist toilets atmidwife summit base camp of mount Kilimanjaro at sunset, Africa current and former nurse, and healthcare Assistants advice and support in times of need and assistant, as well as students and can provide financial grants to alleviate hardship. We're part of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Group. But you don't have to be an RCN member to receive our support.
Lamplight Support Service We support nurses, midwives and health care assistants experiencing circumstances that impact on their finances. Our service is provided in partnership with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), and owing to our charitable funding, we extend support to the whole nursing community, whether an RCN member or not. Students can also access the Lamplight Support Service; however, university welfare departments are often better placed to advise so we recommend engaging with their services in the first instance. Welfare benefits and tax credits advice If you are experiencing a change in circumstances that impacts on your income or are unclear about your entitlement to benefits and tax credits, our team can check that you are getting the financial support that you’re entitled to. Not all benefits are means tested so even if you have savings or are comfortably meeting your outgoings, in situations such as ill-health, we may be able to identify benefits that you can claim. Income maximisation In addition to carrying out a full benefits check, we can provide guidance on reducing expenditure and identifying potential sources of additional income. Financial assistance In some cases, individuals who meet the means tested criteria are eligible for a one-off charitable payment through the RCN Foundation. An outline of who is eligible and in what circumstances can be found by visiting our financial assistance guide. For details of other charities that might be able to assist visit www.turn2us.org.uk.
No Longer Suffering in Silence Just over a year ago, the Lamplight Support Service was set up to support members of the nursing community who were facing hardship. The service was developed as a partnership between the RCN Foundation and the RCN. The Foundation provides the funding to deliver the service and to make grants to individuals, whilst the RCN delivers the service through its Lamplight team of assessors. With the ongoing media focus on public sector pay, the issue of nursing hardship will no doubt continue to be raised and reported upon in the news. Against this backdrop, the RCN Foundation published a review of Lamplight's first year. The review highlights that one in five grants were made to recipients who were in full-time work. This underlines the fact that the issue of in-work poverty facing members of the nursing profession is a pressing one that requires urgent attention. But what the review also highlights is the very real difference and positive impact that Lamplight is making to the lives of individual nurses, midwives and HCA's across the country. This comes across not just through the numbers contained within the review, but also in some of the stories of those who have been supported. As one person told us, "the Benevolent Fund is there for nurses, and it really makes a difference to have this support when things seem bleak. I now know that I no longer need to suffer in silence". Please do take a look at the review and let us know what you think.
To access initial advice and book an appointment for a full assessment, call the Lamplight Support Service team on 0345 772 6200 between 8:30 and 20:30 Monday to Make an appointment Friday. Download the 'No Longer Suffering in To make an appointment with the Lamplight Silence Report' via: Support Service, please call us on 0345 772 www.rcnfoundation.org.uk/__data/assets/p 6200 between 0830 and 2030. df_file/0004/659227/LamplightAlternatively, RCN members can access the Tourist toilets at summit base camp of mount Kilimanjaro at sunset, Africa Report_V4_web.pdf service through RCN Direct on 0345 772 6100.
Loo of the Month - Ancient Roman Toilet
Tourist toilets at summit base camp of mount Kilimanjaro at sunset, Africa
Get in Touch with Us
For more information please visit: www.bbuk.org.uk
Bladder & Bowel UK Head Office - Disabled Living, Burrows House, 10 Priestley Road, Wardley Industrial Estate, Worsley, Manchester M28 2LY Email: bladderandboweluk@disabledliving.co.uk Tel: 0161 607 8219
Part of Disabled Living Website: www.disabledliving.co.uk Email: info@disabledliving.co.uk Tel: 0161 607 8200