Transforming Continence Provision Through Partnership

How Bolton NHS Foundation Trust improved care, reduced waste and achieved cost savings with Attends

When Bolton NHS Foundation Trust reviewed its continence product provision following the end of an existing supplier contract, the team saw an opportunity to do more than simply replace products. Instead, they set out to improve clinical outcomes, increase cost efficiency, enhanced patient support, and strengthen service delivery. By partnering with Attends, the Trust successfully implemented a new, patient-focused continence pathway – delivering measurable improvements across both care quality and operational efficiency.

The Challenge

The Trust faced several key challenges with its previous provision:

Limited access to product sampling, making accurate assessments difficult
Lack of flexibility in product range
Inefficiencies in product usage and allocation
A need to align continence provision with broader sustainability goals

At the same time, any transition needed to be carefully managed to avoid disruption to:

Patient care
Clinical workflows
Care home operations

Why Attends?

Following a full supplier review, Attends was selected based on a combination of product quality, service support and approach. Key decision drives included:

A comprehensive product range supporting a wide range of continence needs
Proven product performance and clinical reliability
A collaborative, partnership-led approach
Dedicated account management and training support
Alignment with the Trust’s goals around efficiency and sustainability

Rather than a simple supplier relationship, the Trust chose Attends as a strategic partner.

The Approach

The transition to Attends was delivered through a structured, partnership-led implementation.

Strategic Planning

Mapping of existing products to Attends equivalents
Development of tailored formularies for different patient groups
Creation of clear product reference guides

Patient-Centred Transition

Direct engagement with patient cohorts to understand individual needs
Careful management of product changes to maintain comfort and dignity
Focus on “right product, right person, right outcome”

Training & Engagement

Attends played a central role in delivering a comprehensive training programme.

Face-to-face product demonstrations
Hands-on sessions for care home staff
Support for district nurses and acute teams
Ongoing access to educational resources

This approach ensured:

High engagement across clinical teams
Increased confidence in product selection
Strong adoption from day one

Care Home Collaboration

A standout element of the project was direct engagement with 34 care homes, where Attends:

Coordinated training sessions
Delivered practical demonstrations
Supported staff in optimising product usage

This led to more appropriate product selection, including a shift towards lower absorbency products where clinically suitable.

The Results

The partnership delivered significant benefits across clinical, operational and financial areas.

Cost & Efficiency

Achieved £35,000 annual cost saving across continence provision
Improved product utilisation and reduced over-prescribing
Better visibility of usage through system monitoring and reassessment prompts

Waste Reduction & Sustainability

Reduced unnecessary product usage
Improved fit and suitability, minimising waste
Supported Trust-wide sustainability objectives

Clinical Outcomes

No increase in skin-related issues following transition
Maintained high standards of patient care and comfort
Improved confidence in product selection among clinicians

Service Improvement

Streamlined processes across wards, community teams and care homes
Increased engagement and collaboration across stakeholders
Stronger alignment between procurement and clinical teams

Partnership in Practice

“Since transitioning to Attends, we’ve developed a strong and collaborative partnership that has delivered real value across our services. The dedicated account management and ongoing support – particularly around training in hospital, community, and care home settings – has been instrumental in ensuring a smooth and sustainable implementation.”

“Not only are we very pleased with the quality and reliability of the products, but the transition has also enabled us to significantly reduce waste and improve overall efficiency. As a trust, we have achieved cost savings of £35,000, which is a meaningful outcome in the current healthcare landscape.”

“The support we received throughout the transition process was excellent, and the continued partnership approach has helped us embed best practice and drive improvements in continence care provision. We look forward to continuing this positive working relationship.”

Jo Bond, Team Lead – Bladder & Bowel Service, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust

Attends worked closely with:

Bladder & Bowel Specialists
District Nursing Teams
Care Home Staff
Procurement Leads

This collaborative approach ensured the transition was not only smooth – but sustainable long-term.

Looking Ahead

Building on this success, the Trust is continuing its continence services through:

Introduction of Continence Champions across care settings
Ongoing training and refresher programmes
Annual Continence Promotion Day aligned with World Continence Week

Attends remains a key partner in supporting these initiatives.

Looking to transform your continence provision?

Attends works in partnership with NHS Trusts to deliver tailored, clinically-led solutions that balance cost efficiency with patient dignity and care quality.

Get in touch to learn how we can support your service.