The Patients Association is an independent charity that has championed the voices of patients across health and social care for more than 60 years.

Its free webinars bring patients, healthcare professionals and charities together to explore topics such as shared decision-making, access to care and how the NHS communicates with patients.

Every session is recorded, so you can watch whenever it suits you.

Making decisions together

The Patients Association’s latest webinar, Making decisions together: Supporting conversations about bladder and bowel products and services, is now available to watch online.

It addresses patients’ concerns that decisions about bladder and bowel products may be driven by cost to the NHS rather than by individual needs. The webinar covers:

• Patients’ own experiences of getting bladder and bowel products and services, and the barriers some people meet
• Shared decision-making: what it means for you and your healthcare professional to decide together
• How new resources can help you understand your rights, prepare for appointments and speak up for what you need

Additional resources

The webinar comes with a free guide and a short animation to help you understand your rights and prepare for conversations with your healthcare professional. They were co-created with people living with bladder and bowel conditions, in partnership with Coloplast. Find the guide and animation on the Patients Association website.

Why IA supports the series

“Having a say in the products and care you receive matters to everyone living with a stoma or internal pouch. For IA members, the Patients Association’s webinar series is a valuable chance to hear directly from patients, nurses and charities about how to have those conversations with confidence.

We’re proud to support it and would encourage our members to watch and share.”

Lisa Barker, CEO | Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association (IA)