NEW ZEALAND CONTINENCE ASSOCIATION

The New Zealand Continence Association aims to be "a multidisciplinary body that actively facilitates continence promotion throughout New Zealand. The workload is spread amongst six subcommittees: funding, public awareness, education of health professionals, service provision, communication and research. Funding: Over the last 12 months we have received an unprecedented $139,000 for our current year's programme including further government funding through North Health. The effectiveness of our fundraising is largely due to our Executive Officer who spends many hours preparing and following up on applications.

Earlier this year we had a workshop with Richard Steckel, a fundraising specialist from Denver, Colorado. His message - "non profit is a tax status, not a management style! Get away from the concept that our services are necessary and do not require justification or marketing. Aim to develop marketing strategies which have appeal to businesses, working on the premise that there is great potential for forging relationships with the business sector. Don't ask for donations but come up with an offer that will improve a company's relationship with its customers and enable it to be seen as more socially responsible. Be first, be daring, be different."

Richard has never worked with a health issue before and is finding it particularly challenging "because of the delicate nature of the subject".

Public Awareness: The theme for our most recent national Bladder Awareness Week was pelvic floor re- education. The Association produced an audiotape which was launched in conjunction with awareness week. Pelvic Floor Workout is an educational tape which includes a comprehensive explanation of function and dysfunction of the pelvic floor, clear instructions for graduated exercises and advice on how to seek help if required. It is available through the Association for $NZ15.00.

Our Continence Freephone helpline continues to be used steadily throughout the year with dramatic increases in usage during times of awareness campaigns or through magazine or newspaper articles.

Education of Health Professionals: Our most recent conference was held in Auckland and once again very well attended. We were fortunate to attract some excellent overseas speakers, including David Thomas, a urologist from the UK whose special interest is bladder problems in the spinally injured, Professor Joe Ouslander, a geriatrician from USA well known for his work in incontinence care in nursing homes, and Sue Markwell, a physiotherapist from Australia whose special expertise is in obstructed defaecation.

We have submitted a course proposal to the University of Otago for consideration. This Certificate of Continence Management would be a stand-alone qualification or count as two papers towards a degree in Health Sciences. It is seen as appropriate for nurses, physiotherapists, general practitioners or other health professionals deemed to have appropriate qualifications.

We are also currently working on developing national resources for education and guidelines for good practice.

Service Provision: Equipment guidelines and standards for receiving continence aids produced by the services subcommittee are currently being expanded and reviewed as the interest of the Health Funding Authority grows. The HFA is looking for advice on how continence services should be configured and we have an opportunity to put forward a multidisciplinary model.

Communication: With increased funding available we are now in a position to upgrade our national newsletter which has been an informative but low key publication to date.

Having the funding to achieve some of the long term goals we have had for so long is a great motivator and we are encouraged by the signs that finally incontinence is being recognised by the government funders as being a significant health issue.

Jill Brown