Catheter care involves the proper maintenance and management of urinary catheters, which are flexible tubes used to drain urine from the bladder.
- Intermittent catheters: temporarily inserted and removed after emptying the bladder.
- Indwelling catheters: remain in place for longer periods, held by an inflated balloon in the bladder.
- Signs of infection (pain, fever, cloudy or strong-smelling urine).
- Proper drainage (no kinks in the tubing, bag positioned below waist level).
- Skin condition around the catheter insertion site.
- Catheter patency (ensuring it's not blocked).
- Proper hygiene and cleanliness.
- Trained professionals experienced in catheter management.
- Assistance with regular catheter changes.
- Education on proper cleaning techniques and hygiene.
- On-call assistance with troubleshooting common issues.
- Support for both urethral and suprapubic catheters.
- Guidance on using catheter valves and drainage bags.
- Reduced risk of urinary tract infections.
- Proper maintenance of catheter function.
- Improved comfort and quality of life.
- Improved comfort and quality of life.
- Education on self-care techniques.
- Regular monitoring to prevent complications.
- Timely interventions in the event any issues arise.
Catheter care involves the proper maintenance and management of urinary catheters, which are flexible tubes used to drain urine from the bladder.
Reduced Package of Care (POC) | 47% |
Discharged with No POC | 38% |
Taken Over By Reablement Team | 5% |
Admitted into Hospital | 5% |
Taken Over By Reablement Team | 3% |
Moved to Nursing/Care Home | 2% |
In Bedfordshire, under a sub-contract
with ELFT, we provide rapid response
and reablement homecare services
We have been awarded zonal partners
and shadow strategic partners with
Oxfordshire County Council.
We are also preferred and approved
providers in Central Bedfordshire &
Bedford Borough.
~ Alison W. - Daughter of Service User
Our Health Care Assistants undergo the highest standard of comprehensive training in medical skills, equipment use, emergency response, patient education, communication, infection control, and cultural competence.
All completed training is signed off by our Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Our service runs 7am-10pm daily, including weekends, with 24/7 on-call coverage and a single point of access for all referrals.
By collaborating and partnering with various healthcare providers who are already involved in community-based care, this service aims to create integrated, multi-disciplinary care pathways
This allows for smooth care transitions, sharing of information and assessments, and a comprehensive, coordinated approach to treating patients intensively in their home environment while avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions.
The Gold Standard Framework (GSF) is a widely used training program and accreditation process focused on enabling high- quality delivery of palliative and end-of-life care, both in hospitals and community/home settings
We aim to ensure our clinical teams, protocols, and care pathways meet best practice standards for providing comprehensive, compassionate palliative and end-of-life care to patients being treated at