Incontact - Planning into the millennium

There is so much to be done in the area of continence care and promotion, it is sometimes difficult to know where to start! Nonetheless, there are some specific areas where Incontact is planning projects and seeking funding. Here are the highlights.

Networking for continence

Incontact wants to develop closer links with other organisations whose members or clients are affected by continence problems have already begun. Incontact believes that consumers have the right to the services and products they need, irrespective of the cause of the problem. We have received funding from the Lloyds TSB Foundation to help us co-ordinate a series of meetings between organisations concerned about continence. From these meetings, we hope to be able to increase co-operation and exchange of information. By working together we stand a better chance of ensuring the best for all consumers.

The following organisations are joining the initial discussions: Age Concern, Alzheimer's Society, Association of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH), British Colostomy Association, Counsel & Care, Enuresis Resource and Information Centre, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Network, Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Support Group, Interstitial Cystitis Support Group (ICSG), Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society, National Association of Colitis and Crohn's Disease (NACC), National Association of Diverticular Disease (NADD), Parkinson's Disease Society, Spinal Injuries Association (SIA), Stroke Association, Urostomy Association (UA).

People with learning disabilities

We would like to develop a project to improve continence care for people with learning disabilities. These people often do not have access to information and services which could help their continence problems. Incontact will develop training materials to increase the awareness and skills of carers and health professionals, and develop information for the service users themselves.

Information and education

After the success of our Bladder and Bowel Problems booklet, it has become clear that there is a need for more patient-friendly information on specific topics. As well as that, both Incontact�s website and quarterly magazine always need more educational input. We will be looking for funding to recruit a new member of staff who will develop our educational materials.

Promoting faecal continence

Faecal incontinence is perhaps the greatest taboo of all the conditions Incontact deals with, yet there is little being done around the country to help people with this condition. Incontact will be developing a project to provide education and training on this subject, both to consumers and health professionals.

Primary care - continence aware

We are in discussion with the Association for Continence Advice (ACA) about developing an awareness programme for health workers in primary care - people who work in the local GP practice or health centre. This programme would aim to provide education about common continence problems and what can be done to help.

Residential care - continence aware

Another collaboration being discussed is between Incontact and Counsel & Care. Counsel & Care provides advice and help for older people, and we are looking at a joint project that would provide training for staff who work in residential and nursing homes for older people.

Culturally aware continence care

Incontact is planning to form a national group that will look at the needs of people from black and minority ethnic communities around the country. People from these communities often are not able to access their local services, and we aim to help generate discussion and action to overcome some of the barriers.

Any thoughts or ideas from our readers are always welcome�.so get writing.

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