NHS Shared Business Services launches U-drain bagless urinary drainage system

Published: 23-Dec-2013

Exclusive framework agreement brings revolutionary solution to incontinence sufferers


NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has launched an exclusive framework agreement to market U-drain, a permanently-installed bagless urinary drainage system.

Currently, patients with certain urinary conditions are required to wear a two-litre capacity night urine drainage bag. In the morning the bag is disconnected, carried to the toilet, emptied, cleaned and often stored for re-use.

U-drain’s different approach is that it drains urine produced overnight directly into the soil pipe of the patient’s existing home drainage system. The patient disconnects the pipe in the morning. This avoids excessive waking through the night.

Phil Davies, NHS SBS head of strategic sourcing, said: “It is a pleasure for us to work with an SME for the benefit of the NHS. U-drain has the potential to save money, revolutionise the care treatment pathway for many groups of patients, and offer them a choice as to how they live their daily life.”

U-drain can completely remove a patient’s reliance on monthly prescribed processes and practices. The system also benefits patients’ dignity, giving them the ability to manage their condition

George McCarthy, inventor of U-drain, added: “My own experiences as a patient inspired me to focus on finding an alternative. U-drain can completely remove a patient’s reliance on monthly prescribed processes and practices. The system also benefits patients’ dignity, giving them the ability to manage their condition.”

Based on using seven sterile urine drainage bags per week, the annual saving per patient can be more than £600.

U-drain offers significant environmental benefits. As it is manufactured from 90% recycled plastics, which last for over 10 years, it produces less carbon emissions than the current night urine drainage bags.

As urine is not stored as it is with the traditional system, the U-drain solution may also assist in reducing bactraemias.

NHS figures state there are 3-6 million urinary incontinence suffers in the UK. There are approximately 11,000 people with a urostomy in the UK and around 800 new ones are created each year. All of these patients could benefit from the U-drain innovation.

NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) now has an exclusive framework agreement to market this product.

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