What a busy week.

I spoke to the House of Lords enquiry into the integration of community and primary services. I explained it was non existent. The frustratingly slow delivery of urine culture results. The pathetic inability of gp nurses to understand clean intermittent self catheterisation. The tear jerking inability of district nurses to unblock blocked indwelling. As for syringes, needles, sharps boxes – I pay I lie I cry.

I went on and on. Will I change anything? The jury is out.

Then it was NHS North West conference. What an absolute bloody game changer. The NotthWest lead for bladder and bowel invited the Infection Prevention Teams, the Community bladder and bowel health leads a , she brought them together r

T bto meet. They had not met. They are the game changers. If we can go for prevention, reduce infection, cut admissions and highlight antimicrobial resistance , we can change the world. Reduce budgets. Increase well being. Reduce bed blockers. The data the PowerPoints the rhetoric was encapsulated by the rapt audience

As for me. My slides are photos. They are reminders to me of what to focus on. I can’t go for pity points. I just try to be honest tell my story make them laugh.

My opener was to explain that in my before catheter life continence meant little. Just my Dad’s urgency for toilets. On one occasion he went into our train station toilet. Saw the urinals were busy and peed next to another passenger. As he finished he turned round to wash his hands. Only to find the other men all standing there watching him ….

Meanwhile my bladder is bonkers. I’m pouring in antibiotics in a random fashion. Jerome away. Mrs Micro away. I’m just making it up. It’s painful and spontaneous eruptions Dipstick appointment postponed to 2024. Great. Not. Ffs.

My mother’s operation is now end April. But the hospital forgot it’s bank holiday. Coronation. And Doctors 4 day strike.

It’s all crap.