Introducing a hand-held urinal service in secondary care

Chorley & South Ribble Primary Care Trust's multiprofessional continence service was established in 2000 (Pomfret, 2001). An integral part of this service development was the creation of a community-based, hand-held urinal library. There are 28 female hand-held urinals available in the UK and many more for males. Some of the urinals are available on prescription and others have to be purchased by the patient. The urinal library allows patients in the community to use the urinals before they are prescribed or buy them, because it is only by using them that they will know that the product will be suitable. The service is proving to be hugely successful.