Way back … years ago, when I first started to self catheterise..I wrote about it. I will find the Old blog. In subsequent years I was introduced to other products and found one that suited me personally best. After all it is a personal preference and one size does not fit all. Which is a moot point with my local CCG. Who, until I intervened , decided disposable catheters were some kind of fashion accessory. I kid you not. They reported that most users were 60%at home. So it did not matter if they used cheap ole unhygienic reusable ones. #ISoonSortedThat. The prescription service is however, amazing. By some cleverness hospital tells the GP what is required. Supplier company contact GP to check prescription is ok and in a plain parcel boxed up arrives several packages of catheters. Now all that is great. The only bit I took years to work out is that there are many different products. So it is worth getting samples and changing the prescription if required. That should be fairly straightforward. Given that GP is unlikely to know anything at all, the best way is to ring the suppliers, they will then sort the GP. One thing that would be good is to know how much they cost. If there is a cheaper but very good one then I would try to help the poor NHS . A bit like the age old paracetamol . It is about 19p in tesco. Not in a groovy packet nor very palatable. But cheaper than the prescription charge . More on this further down this blog .

I became the face of this product called Eve. The production company organised a photographer….. Then big screens of my face at sales meetings and on the patient guides. Supporting the product. It is called Eve.

So I am the face of EVE.. !

Last week in hospital specialist nurse came to see me. She was absolutely sure I had met her. I was absolutely sure I had not . But reminded her that she had probably seen my face on Eve!

Over the last few days, I have had phone calls, text messages and goodness knows how many emails welcoming me to the world of catheters. Asking if I need any help or advice. Very kind. I have rung back, emailed back and texted back…to explainI am not new, I am an old customer. I am in fact the face of EVE. …to no avail. Today’s message says: We have been trying to contact you to let you know about our best start team who are here to provide support……please arrange a preferred time and day for us to call you…..

How do I stop the messages?! Oh hang on …just had another missed call from them. Help.

Meanwhile I have been asked to chair the patient panel for NHS England’s Supply Chain . There are various panels. Groups of clinicians , patients ( ie me) carers, suppliers…etc. The terms of reference are lengthy and of course it is all voluntary. This is going to be difficult for all in involved. I will definitely do it. I have also sorted a deputy to back me up when I cannot be there. There will inevitably be difficult decisions to be made. One clinician, replied to one of the many messages about all this: My job is only 1/12th continence so I am not sure I have the capacity to do this. My response was: My life is 100% continence I am not sure if I am fit to do this. We are all worried that this is going to be rather a huge project .

If of interest please do see the webpage here: National Bladder and Bowel Health Project