Urology and Bowel Management Team Parliamentary Visit

The Urology and Bowel Management team were invited to attend a parliamentary reception at the House of Commons on Monday 22 April, for a session to discuss ‘Putting patients first: promoting best practice in the continence sector’.

The event was hosted by Navendu Mishra, Labour MP for Stockport, Chris Whitehouse, Chair of the Urology Trade Association (UTA), and Ben Challacombe, a Trustee of The Urology Foundation and a Consultant Urologist at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

Chris Whitehouse gave an overview of the current urology market, including some insights into what is currently happening in the urology marketplace and insights into what the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) are working on with regards to Part IX of the Drug Tariff, which continence and urology products fall under, and is the legal framework for providing patients with these products in the community. 

Ben Challacombe provided an insight about the great work that the Foundation are currently working on, including resources for patients and nurses in the field of continence and urology care.

The team then heard from Steve Allen, a Patient Advocate and retired Doctor, who shared his personal experiences with continence care. Steve gave a passionate overview of his personal experience with the loss of his continence, following a prostate cancer diagnosis, and shared how the loss of continence impacted him as well as providing insight into his journey on how to got back to having full continence and his experience with the NHS. 

It was a great session to hear from the speakers, to meet suppliers new and old to the NHS Supply Chain framework, as well as a chance to see some old faces.  Thank you to the UTA and The Urology Foundation for the invite!

Robert Owen, Category Manager – Urology and Bowel Management, NHS Supply Chain