Convatec unveils new resources to support intermittent catheter users to live life confidently

me+ programme offers free practical tools for intermittent catheter users including emotional wellbeing support

London, UK (16 December 2024) — Convatec, a leading medical products and technologies company focused on solutions for the management of chronic conditions, has extended its me+ programme to support intermittent catheter users and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the UK to ensure a smoother cathing journey.

Launched in the United States in 2015, and scaled globally in other markets over the past decade, the me+ programme supports people managing chronic conditions to help them enjoy their lives as well as support for clinicians and caregivers. The programme provides access to product samples, a dedicated team of nurses over the phone and a range of online resources covering lifestyle tips and advice, educational tools and peer-to-peer support related to continence care and ostomy care.

The new resources have been specially designed to support users with practical support for before, during, and after their initial consultation so they can feel confident catheterising – it has also been designed to support HCPs by standardising care and giving them the tools they need to empower their patients so that they can live their life confidently.

Through Convatec’s me+ support website, users and HCPs can access support for their whole cathing journey from pre-consultation, patient consultation through to ongoing support. The three pillars include: 

Educational tools written by healthcare professionals and leading expert

• For users: A range of documents to support and empower users before, during and after their consultations – from checklists, to informational brochures and over 70 frequently asked questions.
• For HCPs: A range of knowledge articles to support healthcare professionals standardise their consultations, and provide their patients with a choice of intermittent catheters to improve outcomes using evidence-based recommendations for best practice quality intermittent catheter care. 

Emotional wellbeing – created by UK clinical psychologist, Dr Sula Windgassen and other experts

• For users: 10 self-guided modules in a video format alongside an accompanying workbook to support an intermittent catheter user through processing the life change, addressing their fears, facing their feelings, and learning to live confidently.
• For HCPs: A conversation guide which follows an ask, validate and empower framework and a HCP training video.

Personalised video guide – created with insights from intermittent catheter users

• An interactive video that allows users and HCPs to easily navigate through different topics and an overview of our GentleCath™ & Cure™ Convatec products. The video also contains a relaxation hub and has a 2D quick guide that allows individuals to learn to catheterise without a specific product.

Additionally, our Convatec Continence Care’s me+ Companion™ app in the United States provides users the ability to log beverage and urine intake on their mobile along with educational tools, resources, and support at their fingertips. We’re planning to scale this up in other markets in 2025. 

Mark Jassey, President & Chief Operating Officer, Continence Care & Home Services Group at Convatec, said: “New catheter users can be overwhelmed by changes in their lives and often have basic questions and anxiety about many different topics. We know that a large proportion of intermittent catheter users say their needs are not met from current resources and support to help them live life confidently.

“Having worked directly with end-users and healthcare professionals, we are excited to offer the Convatec me+ support programme in the UK to support both users and healthcare professionals with practical guides, tips and videos. We’re really proud of the programme which also includes emotional wellbeing support which can often be overlooked and can support patients to ease into their new lifestyle effectively and smoothly. This resource is just another example of how we are helping users to live life confidently and bring our forever caring promise to life with real-world solutions.”  

Dr Ased Ali, Senior Medical Affairs Director and Consultant Urologist at Convatec said: “As we continue to innovate our products, services and solutions, our primary focus remains on enhancing patient care and overall wellbeing. The Continence Care me+ support programme empowers users to manage their health confidently from practical advice on travelling and diet to selecting a catheter and knowing when to catheterise. Just as important is supporting healthcare professionals (HCPs) so that they can help patients live their life to the fullest. That’s why we worked with a team of medical experts and clinicians to provide comprehensive FAQs, a personalised video guide and resources all in one place to provide emotional and wellbeing support for HCPs to have an effective conversation.” 

Notes to Editors

• me+ for users: https://www.convatec.com/en-gb/continence-care/meplus-support/
• me+ for healthcare professionals: https://www.convatec.com/en-gb/continence-care/for-healthcare-professionals/meplus-education-support-tools/
• The Intermittent Catheterisation Clinical Practice Principles –are endorsed by global charities and organisations including UOAA (United Ostomy Association of America Inc), WOCN (Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society), IUGA (International Urogynecological Association), SUNA - Society of Urologic Nurses & Associates) and OMSN (International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses)

Continence Care 

It is easy to find trusted solutions among the Convatec Continence Care portfolio of GentleCath™ and Cure™ innovative intermittent catheters for men, women, and children. Advanced technologies and proprietary features are designed to provide a safe, comfortable, and convenient cathing experience – to help reduce the risk of infection. For more information visit https://www.convatec.com/continence-care

Contact

Corporate media via MediaRelations@convatec.com 
Investor relations ir@convatec.com   

About Convatec
Pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives we touch: Convatec is a global medical products and technologies company, focused on solutions for the management of chronic conditions, with leading positions in advanced wound care, ostomy care, continence care and infusion care. With around 10,000 colleagues, we provide our products and services in almost 100 countries, united by a promise to be forever caring. Our solutions provide a range of benefits, from infection prevention and protection of at-risk skin, to improved patient outcomes and reduced care costs. Convatec’s revenues in 2023 were over $2 billion. The company is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index (LSE:CTEC). To learn more about Convatec, please visit  http://www.convatecgroup.com