A device that has been modified to make life easier for female hospital patients who are immobilised and help them use the toilet with dignity is to be implemented across the country. This “groundbreaking project” to introduce the UniWee is implemented by Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Swindon, and now has the backing of the NHS supply chain.

In order to reduce the need for catheters and make hospital life more painless and dignified, the emergency room staff there began converting the disposable male urinal container for women to use. Now that the concept has been studied and codified, there are plans to employ it more extensively in the future. 

Together with employees from NHS Trusts around the South West, emergency department, trauma, and orthopaedic personnel at the Great Western Hospital began utilising the modified bottle to help women who spend a lot of time sitting or lying down in hospitals. This device will improve their quality of life immensely as it removes their difficulty to urinate painlessly and without movement. 

Their effectiveness was investigated, and the findings were reported in the Emergency Medicine Journal of the British Medical Journal. OmniPac, the company that makes the male bottles, has now created official prototypes and is getting ready to ramp up production. The goal is then to implement it nationwide with the NHS supply chain’s assistance. 

Emergency doctor and chief investigator Dr Siân Thomas said: “We are thrilled to take this project further. Our future studies will explore how the UniWee can reduce catheter use and improve bladder care for patients. By gathering evidence, we hope to ensure that more patients and clinical teams benefit from this simple yet transformative solution.”

To make sure the UniWee keeps meeting the requirements of those it serves, patient and public participation will also be a part of the next research phase.