The BioMed Centre
The BioMed Centre was established in 1998, within the Bristol Urological Institute (BUI), with the purpose of improving the continence management of older and disabled people. With our collaborators, we aim to raise the profile of this common but hidden aspect of healthcare by:
- engaging in a collaborative research programme to further scientific and medical understanding of the condition.
- reducing the recurrent complications of long-term catheterisation through the design and development of a new range of user-friendly devices and improved treatment protocols.
- creating a database of people with long-term catheters to involve users in research and innovation, improve their access to clinical trials and gather information that will lead to a better understanding of their needs (conforming with Data Protection Act 1998).
- promoting continence training for healthcare professionals
The BioMed centre can provide a wide range of services to others interested in reducing the burden of intractable urinary incontinence:
The BioMed catheter clinic
We provide a specialist, modern, patient-centred clinic for people with long-term indwelling catheters. The clinical rooms, situated on the lower ground floor of the BUI, provide excellent facilities for the assessment of patients, with easy access for those in wheelchairs. Patients receive expert attention and advice with full liaison with personal and professional carers as required.
Research resources for clinical trials
We have more than 5 years experience in conducting clinical studies and early stage clinical trials, particularly for the testing of novel technologies and devices. With an extensive network of health professionals we are able to mobilise recruitment from the community or acute care setting. Where appropriate, patients involved in clinical trials are treated in our clinical facility.
Modern research laboratories
The newly equipped laboratories housing in vitro bladder models and analytical equipment enable microbiological and analytical research and testing to be undertaken on existing and new technologies, devices and materials.
Education and training facilities
The seminar room, within the BUI, offers state-of-the-art facilities for small conferences, education and training for up to 50 people. Two smaller rooms for up to 9 persons are also available for training and meeting purposes. Health professionals and industry have access to a wide range of standard and bespoke training programmes run through the BUI.
Advice and consultancy
Clinical and scientific experts with national or international standing in a field of urinary incontinence are associated with the BioMed and the BUI, and are able to offer consultancy services.
The Team
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Ms Adèle Long, Director of the BioMed Centre and HTC, a Department of Health supported initiative to stimulate innovation in the area of urinary continence. Adèle has extensive experience in the fields of intellectual property management and research and business development in the medical and life sciences sectors. |
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Mr Anthony Timoney, Clinical Lead. Consultant Urological Surgeon, Southmead Hospital, with an interest in endoscopic procedures and stone disease. Anthony is the Training Programme Director for urology in the south west of England. |
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Mr Marcus Drake, Consultant Urological Surgeon at Southmead Hospital, visiting Professor at the University of the West of England, Senior Lecturer at the University of Bristol and Lead for Research at the BUI. Interests include female and reconstructive urology, urodynamics and the neuropathophysiology of the bladder. He is Chair of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Comprehensive Clinical Research Network Urogenital Specialty Group, and website Editor of the British Journal of Urology International. |
| Dr David Stickler, Technical Advisor. | |
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Dr Jo Worthington, Research Project Facilitator with responsibility for managing a number of collaborative BioMed projects, developing new devices for urinary continence. |
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Dr Bahareh Vahabi, Neurophysiologist involved in developing new techniques for the better understanding of bladder physiology and pathophysiology using a pig bladder model. Bahareh is also a lecturer in Neurophysiology at the Department of BioMedical Sciences at the University of the West of England, Bristol. |
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Dr Elizabeth Dymond, Project Manager for product innovation projects and advisor on all aspects of intellectual property. Elizabeth is also the Innovation Manager at North Bristol NHS Trust and has a background in medical engineering. |
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Mr Andrew Gammie, Clinical Engineer with over 20 years’ experience in medical electronics, equipment design and management, leads on evaluation services. Andrew is also active in the development and delivery of appropriate healthcare technology for developing countries. |
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Dr Nicola Morris, BioMed Laboratory Research Co-manager and Laboratory Skill Centre Manager for the BUI. Nicola is a microbiologist with interests in catheter associated urinary tract infections (UTI) and over 10 years post doctoral experience in the field of long term urinary catheter management. (Nicola is currently on maternity leave). |
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Dr Debbie Lewis, BioMed Laboratory Research Co-Manager and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of the West of England, Bristol. Her research interests have been in the field of microbiology and in particular bacterial genetics. In the past two years she has been using her knowledge in bacterial genetics to understand how bacteria, particularly affiliated with UTI, are so efficient at colonising this region. |
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Richard Thompson, Research Technician and responsible for the monthly research forum meeting; a network of local researchers brought together to disseminate current research topics. Richard carries out practical microbiological research and testing at the BioMed Centre with specific interests in Biomimetics. |
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Mrs Sarah Fowler, Research Associate. Specialising in understanding the needs, quality of life and costs of long-term catheterisation. |
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Dr Nikki Cotterill, Research Associate at the BUI for 5 years, primarily focussing on the International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire (ICIQ) tool for quality of life assessment. The ICIQ aims to standardise assessment of urinary, bowel and vaginal symptoms. She was the winner of the New Investigator’s Award at the International Continence Society’s Annual Meeting in Cairo in 2008. |
| Colette Grant, Research Nurse. | |
| Jane Edwards, Research Nurse. A Registered General Nurse, who has worked within the urology field for 11 years both in the clinical setting and recently research. |
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Maryann Slack, Research Nurse. Registered General Nurse with 11 years experience in uro-onocological nursing in a clinical setting and recently joined the research team at the BioMed. |
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Dr Helen Godfrey, PhD, BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences, RN, SCM,
is a Principal lecturer in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, UWE and a Nurse Advisor (Education and Research) at BioMed. Helen’s research interests are the nursing practice aspects of continence and catheterisation; incontinence and social isolation and the hydration care of older people. Helen teaches biological sciences across a range of healthcare programmes and supervises PhD and Master’s students undertaking post-graduate research. |
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Terri McDonald MInstF Fundraising & Marketing Manager of the BUI and the BioMed. Terri manages all fundraising activities and has a vast experience working with corporate partnerships, legacy, private trusts and community fundraising. |
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Mrs Karen Evely, Administration Manager for the BUI and BioMed. Karen has worked within the administration team of the BUI for over 13 years. She joined 3 years after the Institute began having already worked within an administrative role at Southmead Hospital. Over time Karen and has seen the Institute grow from a single office to a nationally and internationally recognised organisation with its own 4 storey building. |
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Caroline Holder, BioMed Projects Adminstrator. Caroline has over 30 years of administration experience, she is fluent in Spanish and a keen photographer, these skills are utilised within both the BUI and BioMed. |
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Nick Urch, Website and Education Administrator for the BUI and BioMed. Nick is also responsible for the following ICIQ.net, ICUD.info, ICI-RS.org and PFCSG.org websites. Nick has over 20 years administration and management experience wiithin the Health Service and Civil Service. |