You might be worried about Coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it could affect your life, especially if you are a catheter user or you look after a catheter user.

Many users have been asked to ‘Shield’ by the government, and others are taking extra measures to protect themselves. For many, the usual services that we rely on for advice have been reduced or are unavailable, so here are our 5 top tips for living in Lockdown if you are a catheter user.

1. Continue looking after your catheter as normal

During the lockdown it is easy to let our normal routine slip. However, just because you are in quarantine or in self-isolation doesn’t mean your catheter care routine should change. Stick to your normal catheter care routine and take extra care to wash your hands before and after touching your catheter to minimise the risk of infection.

We have created a video on how to best look after your suprapubic catheter:

If you ever have any drainage issues with your catheter we also have a useful blog on the steps to take if your catheter is not draining properly.

2. Connect with other catheter users

With social distancing measures in full action, it can be easy to start feeling lonely.

One of the best way to remain “social” in this period, is through the use of social media. If you are a suprapubic catheter user, we recommend a facebook group called “Suprapubic Catheter Users UK”. The community answers questions from all members and provides recommendations on living with a catheter and sharing their general day to day experiences. The group is growing rapidly, with new posts on a daily basis and there is a helpful set of announcements at the top of the feed for new suprapubic catheter users.

For more tips on connecting with catheter users read our blog on the topic.

3. Keep taking your medication

Your catheter prescriptions should continue as normal, you might be able to order repeat prescriptions by phone. Or you may be able to do this online using an app or website, if your doctor’s surgery offers this. You could download the free NHS App and search for your surgery.

Ask your pharmacy about getting your medication delivered, or ask someone else to collect it for you. This will usually be possible, although if it’s a controlled drug the pharmacy might ask for proof of identity. Make sure anyone collecting medication knows if they have to pay for it. The NHS website has more information about getting prescriptions for someone else and checking if you have to pay for prescriptions.

Keep an adequate stock of catheter supplies. All suppliers are experiencing changes to the way they work and many are experiencing disruption to their supply chains. If possible, try and get hold of more than your usual requirements of catheters, bags and accessories in case there are any delivery delays

4. Stay hydrated and eat healthy

Drink water regularly. Drinking enough water is important for your mental and physical health. Changing your routine might affect when you drink or what fluids you drink. Try setting an alarm or using an app to remind you to keep drinking.

If you are self-isolating, you can ask someone to drop off essential food items for you. If they do this, ask them to leave food at your doorstep, to avoid face-to-face contact with each other. Check the UK government scheme to see if you are eligible for free food parcel deliveries to your door.

5. Keep your mind and body stimulated

It can be hard to stimulate the mind and body if you are inside your house the whole day. However, this time away from some of the normal pressures of life can provide a great opportunity to learn a new skill or reconnect with an old hobby.

Blogger Scott Young has some excellent blog posts on ‘Ultralearning’ – the skill of learning and mastering new subjects. Why not check out his blog and apply his methods to learning a new language or getting to grips with a topic of interest.

We hope you found this blog useful, make sure to follow government guidance on washing hands and social distancing which can be found here.

Get in touch with us if you have any questions and subscribe to our newsletter below this blog to receive more useful blogs straight your inbox!

Are you struggling in isolation? Many catheter users do. Blockages, infection, pain and other complications can be regular occurrences. You can sometimes feel like you are the only one in the world having such a hard time with your catheter. If that’s you, you need to know that you don’t have to go it alone. There are easy ways for you to connect with other catheter users and get help and advice. Sometimes a burden shared is a burden lifted. Here are 4 ways you can connect with other catheter users.

1. Social Media

If you have a specific health condition that means you need a catheter, you may already be part of a Facebook group for your condition. But did you know that there are some specific Facebook groups designed for patients who have an indwelling balloon catheter?

If you have a suprapubic catheter, the best group available is Suprapubic Catheter Users UK. Tracey Seal, herself a suprapubic catheter user, founded this group in 2018. Tracey and other users share helpful advice based on their experience. The community answers questions from new members and provides independent product recommendations. The group is growing rapidly, with 170 members at the time of writing. New posts happen on a daily basis and there is a helpful set of announcements at the top of the feed for new suprapubic catheter users.

A more general support group for people with continence difficulties is the Bladder & Bowel Community Support Group. This is a group run by the Bladder & Bowel Community and provides advice and support on a range of continence issues. At the time of writing there are over 5000 members and multiple posts a day. It is a group aimed at UK users.

An international Facebook group for catheter users is Urinary Catheter Users. The group includes users of indwelling and intermittent catheters, so it’s a good place to go to for more general catheter advice. Be aware that not all the advice given will be relevant to UK based catheter users. The group has over 450 members at the time of writing and there are normally a few posts per week.

2. Local societies

If you prefer to meet people face to face, consider becoming part of a local society for patients with your condition. Your local hospital will be able to direct you to any societies or support groups in your local area. Your Urology department may also be able to direct you to a specific catheter support group.

Many national societies also have local branches. For example, the National MS Society has local groups you can find out about here. These kinds of groups often include regular meet ups in community centers or coffee shops, where patients and/or carers can let off steam, seek advice and build lasting friendships.

3. Clinical research

There is some great researching taking place in the UK in the area of continence and catheters. Getting involved in clinical research allows you to play a part in improving care for catheter users and meet other users too. Research could involve trialing pioneering new continence products, undergoing new diagnostic tests or taking part in surveys.

To find out what trials are recruiting currently, you can search the NIHR website here. Alternatively, you can speak to your consultant who may be able to advise you of local research you can be a part of.

4. Continence Specific Societies

There are some national organisations that provide support to catheter users. The Bladder & Bowel Community and Bladder & Bowel UK provide some excellent online resources, a free phone advice service and range of other sources of support.

Societies like the above organise regular user meetings to provide help and advice give you an opportunity to get to know other catheter users. It’s best to sign up to their newsletters and follow them on social media to see what events are available.

Can you recommend any other ways to connect with catheter users? Contact us to let us know. If you found this article helpful, why not share it?

Are you struggling in isolation? Many catheter users do. Blockages, infection, pain and other complications can be regular occurrences. You can sometimes feel like you are the only one in the world having such a hard time with your catheter. If that’s you, you need to know that you don’t have to go it alone. There are easy ways for you to connect with other catheter users and get help and advice. Sometimes a burden shared is a burden lifted. Here are 4 ways you can connect with other catheter users.

1. Social Media

If you have a specific health condition that means you need a catheter, you may already be part of a Facebook group for your condition. But did you know that there are some specific Facebook groups designed for patients who have an indwelling balloon catheter?

If you have a suprapubic catheter, the best group available is Suprapubic Catheter Users UK. Tracey Seal, herself a suprapubic catheter user, founded this group in 2018. Tracey and other users share helpful advice based on their experience. The community answers questions from new members and provides independent product recommendations. The group is growing rapidly, with 170 members at the time of writing. New posts happen on a daily basis and there is a helpful set of announcements at the top of the feed for new suprapubic catheter users.

A more general support group for people with continence difficulties is the Bladder & Bowel Community Support Group. This is a group run by the Bladder & Bowel Community and provides advice and support on a range of continence issues. At the time of writing there are over 5000 members and multiple posts a day. It is a group aimed at UK users.

An international Facebook group for catheter users is Urinary Catheter Users. The group includes users of indwelling and intermittent catheters, so it’s a good place to go to for more general catheter advice. Be aware that not all the advice given will be relevant to UK based catheter users. The group has over 450 members at the time of writing and there are normally a few posts per week.

2. Local societies

If you prefer to meet people face to face, consider becoming part of a local society for patients with your condition. Your local hospital will be able to direct you to any societies or support groups in your local area. Your Urology department may also be able to direct you to a specific catheter support group.

Many national societies also have local branches. For example, the National MS Society has local groups you can find out about here. These kinds of groups often include regular meet ups in community centers or coffee shops, where patients and/or carers can let off steam, seek advice and build lasting friendships.

3. Clinical research

There is some great researching taking place in the UK in the area of continence and catheters. Getting involved in clinical research allows you to play a part in improving care for catheter users and meet other users too. Research could involve trialing pioneering new continence products, undergoing new diagnostic tests or taking part in surveys.

To find out what trials are recruiting currently, you can search the NIHR website here. Alternatively, you can speak to your consultant who may be able to advise you of local research you can be a part of.

4. Continence Specific Societies

There are some national organisations that provide support to catheter users. The Bladder & Bowel Community and Bladder & Bowel UK provide some excellent online resources, a free phone advice service and range of other sources of support.

Societies like the above organise regular user meetings to provide help and advice give you an opportunity to get to know other catheter users. It’s best to sign up to their newsletters and follow them on social media to see what events are available.

A question we frequently get asked at LINC is, “How can I get a LINC catheter added to my regular prescription?” Many users trial a LINC catheter, love it, but then don’t know how to get hold of one on a regular basis. Here are 5 easy steps to ensuring you get a LINC catheter on prescription every time.

1. Know the facts

For your doctor or nurse to prescribe any product, it must first be available on the drug tariff. This a central list of approved medicines and equipment that the NHS has agreed to fund. All LINC catheters are listed on the drug tariff and are therefore available on prescription. You can find the drug tariff online here. We think users should be aware of the range of products available to them.

2. Know the product code

Before asking your doctor or nurse to prescribe a LINC catheter, make sure you know the correct code. This can be found on both the catheter box and the catheter packet. If you are not sure of the code, you can find all of our catheter order codes online. All you need to know is your catheter length (standard, female or paediatric),  Ch (charrier size), and tip required.

3. Ask your healthcare professional to prescribe it

Before you are due for your next catheter change, phone or meet with your healthcare professional and ask them to prescribe the LINC catheter you would like to use. Explain why you would like to change your catheter and give them the product code.

4. Answer objections

Some catheter users find that their healthcare professional is resistant to

letting them change to a LINC catheter. Here are some of the objections you might hear and answers you can give.

I don’t know the product

Just because they haven’t heard of LINC Medical doesn’t mean they can deny you access to a LINC catheter. Explain to them that the LINC catheter is listed on the drug tariff and available on prescription. You can also point out that the official NICE Guidelines (which all UK healthcare professionals should follow) state that, “The indwelling catheter you are offered will depend on your particular characteristics and requirements, with your comfort and preferences being important factors. Your healthcare worker should talk with you about the options.” Let them know that you find the LINC catheter more comfortable than other catheters you have used.

The indwelling catheter you are offered will depend on your particular characteristics and requirements, with your comfort and preferences being important factors. Your healthcare worker should talk with you about the options.

It’s not on formulary

Most areas (knowns as Clinical Commissioning Groups or CCGs) have a preferred list of continence products that they require healthcare professionals to prescribe. If you live in an area where LINC products are not on the preferred list, you may find some healthcare professionals refuse to prescribe them. But just because something is not on a formulary doesn’t mean it can’t be prescribed. Many healthcare professionals aren’t aware that they are free to prescribe any product as long as there is a clinical reason to. Up to 20% of products prescribed in any area can be non-formulary products. So if you hear this objection, let your HCP know the ways you find the LINC catheter beneficial. Then remind them that they are allowed to prescribe off-formulary products if they provide additional clinical benefits.

It’s too expensive

Some of our specialist catheter tips are listed on the drug tariff at higher prices than other catheter makes. That may make a cost-conscious HCP think twice before prescribing a LINC catheter for you. But what many HCPs don’t realise is that for every prescription of a LINC catheter, the NHS saves up to £17.34 compared to even a cheaper standard catheter. That’s because we include a free lubricant gel with every catheter. That saves the NHS the cost of the gel and also all the other prescription fees that they pay on top.

5. Submit the prescription to your preferred supplier

Once you have received the prescription, you can then send it your chosen delivery company or your local pharmacy. We supply to all continence delivery companies and all major pharmacy wholesalers. We always recommend working with independent delivery companies who have good reputations for customer service and stock levels. If your chosen supplier tells you they are out stock, contact us and we will be able to help you get hold of the product.

Are there any other issues you have experienced when trying to get a prescription for a LINC catheter? If so, contact us and let us know and we’ll do our best to help.

This post does not constitute medical advice. Please discuss any changes to your care or concerns with your healthcare professional.