Despite many advances in the treatment and management of bladder dysfunction, there are still some patients who require an indwelling urethral or supra-pubic catheter, or intermittent catheterisation to help maintain urinary continence. This article builds upon the principles of catheterisation presented by Booth and Clarke in the May/June 2012 issue of JCN, outlining fundamentals such as privacy, dignity, harm minimisation and the use of care bundles.

Ann Winder, RGN Independent Continence Clinical Nurse Specialist, Director ARC Healthcare Ltd., Chairperson, Continence Clinical Supervision Group England

Article accepted for publication: July 2012