Bladder and Bowel event in Plymouth

Mary
Authored by Mary
Posted: Monday, October 8, 2018 - 10:48

The ninth Bladder and Bowel Event (BABE) is set to take place at on Friday 12 October 2018, featuring a guest talk by Paralympian Michael Kerr.

Michael Kerr with Annie and the BABE team BABEs are aimed at supporting people with bladder and bowel problems and are organised by staff from our colorectal, urological and gynaecological teams.

The event will take place at the Future Inn, Derriford and will include various talks by health specialists from University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. Tea and coffee will be served from 9.30am and the event will run 10.00am to 12.30pm.

“On average one in ten people in the UK suffer from bowel problems, and there is an estimated 14 million people in the UK who have bladder problems,” explains Annie Cornelius, Pelvic Floor Nurse.

“Our staff set up these events to support patients and to help educate people about how they can manage their symptoms.”

The event next week will include talks and discussions concerning constipation, recurring urinary tract infections and why the prostate can cause urinary incontinence. What to expect after bowel cancer will also be covered.

At this particular event, double Paralympian and former Captain of Great Britain’s wheelchair rugby team, Michael Kerr (pictured above with the BABE team) will be giving a patient’s perspective on living with a spinal cord injury and using intermittent self-catheterisation.

As a tetraplegic, Michael has lost the ability to completely empty his bladder, and began using disposable catheters to avoid urinary tract infections. He now uses an all-in-one kit that includes a collection bag, which helps when travelling for long periods of time without access to a toilet.

“I would really like to encourage more people to talk about their problems,” said Michael, who is now an ambassador for Wellspect Healthcare. “Bladder and bowel issues really shouldn’t be a taboo subject. People should feel able to speak openly about them.

“At the end of the day, everybody needs to go to the toilet – it’s a simple fact of life.”

There is no need to book to attend, just come along on the day and enjoy some tea and coffee with some of our specialists. If you have any questions, you can email plh-tr.BABE@nhs.net or leave a message for the BABE Team on 01752 430033.

Tags