Promoting intermittent self-catheterisation to encourage self-care in district nursing patients.

Intermittent self-catheterisation (ISC) is deemed the preferred option for the management of urinary incontinence and/or retention in patients requiring a catheter. It also allows patients to self-care, thereby placing fewer demands on district nursing (DN) services and meeting the requirements of the current health policy agenda. Yet many patients who could benefit from ISC in the community still use a long-term urinary catheter. This may contribute to increased morbidity, poorer quality of life, and unnecessary visits from the DN team. This article analyses the role of the district nurse in promoting and supporting the use of ISC with suitable patients.