Skip to main content
Advertise Buy the paper Contact us Shop Subscribe Support us
Spinal injuries face an NHS bowel care crisis
RUTH HUNT reports on a campaign urging government action to address the life-threatening state of bowel care, the need for a new national policy and adequately trained staff to ensure patient safety and dignity

A CALL is being made for a parliamentary inquiry into the current state of bowel care for those requiring specialist care in NHS settings. There is a need for a national bowel care policy so that patients with spinal cord injury and some other conditions can be in any hospital and get the right care and treatment for managing their bowels.

“Are you one of these hospital-refusers?” the GP said, as he looked at his screen. I had a high temperature and some other symptoms but was saying I didn’t want to go to hospital.

What doctors don’t ask is why I have this fear of being admitted. As someone with spinal cord injuries (SCI) who has a neurogenic bowel because of my injuries, I have faced humiliating as well as very dangerous “bowel care.” I am now frightened about going into hospital and if I can avoid it, I will.

Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Features / 21 December 2024
21 December 2024
Behind the Samaritans’ promise to always listen, callers face secret restrictions and automated blocks while the charity admits setting limits without clearly warning ‘frequent’ users they risk getting cut off — or why, writes RUTH HUNT
Features / 30 July 2024
30 July 2024
What’s needed are more truly accessible homes, radical reform of the private sector to protect disabled tenants, and a less myopic view of the housing market focused on ‘homeowners,’ argues RUTH HUNT
Features / 25 April 2024
25 April 2024
When over-fifties fracture bones from minor falls, scanning could show if they have this debilitating condition, and steps can be taken to treat it. Major delays and lack of scanners means this isn’t happening properly, writes RUTH HUNT
Opinion / 9 February 2024
9 February 2024
Access needs for patients with mobility issues still a problem at many NHS trusts, writes RUTH HUNT
Similar stories
Features / 30 July 2024
30 July 2024
What’s needed are more truly accessible homes, radical reform of the private sector to protect disabled tenants, and a less myopic view of the housing market focused on ‘homeowners,’ argues RUTH HUNT
Opinion / 9 February 2024
9 February 2024
Access needs for patients with mobility issues still a problem at many NHS trusts, writes RUTH HUNT
Features / 19 January 2024
19 January 2024
RUTH HUNT looks at the risks of remote appointments for patients with long-term spinal cord injuries, who have substantial clinical needs