Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Peter

Peter was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1993. From about 2003 he had a problem of incontinence so started intermittent self-catheterisation, which he found much better than an indwelling catheter. He uses a Conveen during some of the day.

  • Background

    Peter was a specialist fire safety advisor for the NHS before he retired. He is married and has two adult children. Nationality/ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 66
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Betty

    When Betty was in her 60's she had surgery to remove a bladder diverticulum. In spite of this her bladder failed to empty completely and she had some incontinence. She was taught her how to use intermittent self-catheterisation and now leads a normal life.

  • Background

    Betty was a school secretary before she retired. She is a widow. She has three grown up children. Ethnic background/nationality: White British

  • Age at interview 93
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Sid

    Sid was born with spina bifida. He was incontinent and had to use incontinence pads. When he was about 45 he was told about intermittent self-catheterisation. This has changed his life. It has given him the confidence to go out without fear of embarrassment.

  • Background

    Before Sid retired he worked as a BT engineer. He is married with one grown up child. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 75
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Rachael

    Rachael was born without a bladder, with a malfunctioning kidney. Doctors created a bladder from part of her bowel. When she was six she was taught to self-catheterise. Despite this she was partially incontinent so when she was 10 she had a Mitrofanoff.

  • Background

    Before Rachael retired due to ill health she worked as an administrator for an insurance company. She is married. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 31
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Mr Roger Feneley

    Mr Roger Feneley explains why catheters are used. He describes different types of catheter and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of having one or the other. He also talks about urine collection bags and explains how urine infections can be prevented.

  • Background

    Mr Roger Feneley is an Emeritus Consultant Urologist to the North Bristol NHS Trust and Visiting Professor at the University of the West of England. He founded the BioMed Healthcare...

  • Sex/Gender Male
  • James

    James has been a carer for 20 years and likes his job. He helps Hayley with every aspect of her daily care, including catheter care. Hayley's catheter has made life easier for them both. In particular it has made travelling much less stressful.

  • Background

    James is a full time carer. He cares for Hayley, who has spinal muscular atrophy. He is single. Ethnic background/nationality: White English/Irish.

  • Age at interview 41
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Rachel

    Rachel looks after Roger, who broke his neck in an accident. Although he is in a nursing home she feels that she need to be with him most of the time to make sure his needs are met. In particular she wants to keep an eye on his suprapubic catheter.

  • Background

    Rachel is an informal carer. She is married. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 43
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Narelle

    Narelle cared for her husband David at home until it became too difficult. He'd had a major stroke and, later, needed care from four carers. He now lives in a residential care home where Narelle visits him every day. He has a suprapubic catheter.

  • Background

    Narelle is married and has 2 adult children. She is self-employed. Ethnic background / nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 69
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Pat

    In 2008 Pat's husband, Rob, was diagnosed with cauda equina syndrome and thrombocytopenia. He was very ill and needed a urethral catheter. Pat helped to care for Rob while he was in hospital and she has cared for him since he returned home

  • Background

    Pat is a registered nurse (RGN), but is not working at the moment because she is a full time carer. She is married and has six grown up children. Ethnic...

  • Age at interview 69
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Ann

    Ann's bladder problems started around the time she had radiotherapy after a hysterectomy for uterine cancer. In 2011 she was fitted with a suprapubic catheter, which she'd had for about 4 months at the time of interview.

  • Background

    Ann is a retired doctor. She is widowed and has 3 adult children. Ethnic background / nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 81
  • Sex/Gender Female