Finalist
Breaking the taboo: putting incontinence on the NHS quality agenda for the first time
Summary of work
Bladder and bowel problems are part of daily life for millions of people across the UK. And yet they remain one of the most enduring health taboos in modern society. Symptoms are often kept hidden and when people do seek help, NHS services too often fail to offer timely access to the right treatment and support, evidenced through national clinical audit and the serious failures exposed by the Francis Inquiry. The expert group on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) was set up with a simple goal: to address the legacy of unmet need and secure improvements in the quality of care for people with continence needs. Sustained engagement over time, and a readiness to adapt both the tone and the message, were key to reaching and influencing target audiences on a sensitive subject and establishing a powerful policy platform and the right tools to deliver meaningful improvements in patient outcomes over the long-term.
Judges’ comments
They took on the difficult area of incontinence through a renewed focus on dignity following the Francis Enquiry. It delivered lots of positive engagement at different levels of the healthcare system and patient communities. Through great execution, with good objectives it clearly delivered what it aimed to achieve.
