Digital Health
Teesside University is collaborating with Health Education England, TENA, and CliniMed to improve continence management in older adults and those with frailty. This project focuses on developing training programmes and educational resources for healthcare professionals, patients, and carers, aimed at reducing the health complications associated with urinary symptoms.
Urinary incontinence affects over two-thirds of adults over 40 and is a leading cause of physical and psychological distress. Despite its prevalence, there is a lack of adequate training and resources to manage these issues, resulting in significant health risks like urinary tract infections and falls in older adults. Effective management is critical to reducing these risks and improving quality of life for affected individuals.
Since 2019, Teesside University has been leading the development of educational materials, including an NHS-funded CPD programme for healthcare professionals and an eLearning course for care home staff. These programmes focus on early diagnosis and improved management of urinary incontinence, aiming to provide healthcare practitioners with the tools to deliver better care for frail patients and those with complex needs. The collaboration with TENA and CliniMed has also resulted in the creation of comprehensive patient education resources.
The training has already led to improved patient outcomes, with fewer hospital admissions and a reduction in urinary-related complications such as infections. By equipping healthcare professionals with better tools, this project is helping to reduce healthcare costs and improve the quality of life for individuals suffering from incontinence. It also supports the wider NHS strategy to address the challenges posed by an ageing population.
