Pharmacy role in the proMotion of continencE (PRIME): a co-production study to develop a pharmacy bladder and bowel service.
9 affiliations
- 1School of Health and Social Wellbeing, College of Health, Science and Society, University of the West of England, UWE Bristol, Blackberry Hill, BS16 1DD, UK. [email protected].
- 2School of Health and Social Wellbeing, College of Health, Science and Society, University of the West of England, UWE Bristol, Blackberry Hill, BS16 1DD, UK.
- 3Bristol Urological Institute, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK.
- 4Bedminster Pharmacy, Bristol, UK.
- 5Patient/Public contributor, Bristol, United Kingdom.
- 6Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK and National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West) at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK.
- 7Centre for Academic Primary Care, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- 8Watson Research and Training Limited, Aberdeen, AB15 8FL, UK.
- 9Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 160 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK.
Abstract
Background
Urinary and faecal incontinence affects millions. Community pharmacies provide local community healthcare highlighting opportunity for innovation in continence promotion. The Pharmacy Role In the proMotion of continencE (PRIME) study was conducted to investigate development of a Pharmacy Bladder and Bowel Service (PBBS) incorporating key stakeholder engagement.Methods
A UK online survey, employing convenience sampling of community pharmacy staff identified current practice, and barriers and facilitators to PBBS development, between July and November 2022. These findings were incorporated into an evidence brief supported by findings from earlier PRIME sub-studies (systematic literature review and qualitative interviews). The evidence brief guided stakeholder participant workshop discussions using co-production methodology, during April and June 2023, to derive a protocolised service specification for the PBBS, detailing underpinning requirements and scope of service, as the final stage of this study.Results
Twenty-nine community pharmacy participants completed the survey reporting some provision of lifestyle advice in practice with clear scope for expansion. Subsequently, sixteen participants including Community Pharmacists, Bladder and Bowel Service staff, Service users and healthcare commissioners participated in two workshops. The PPBS service specification outlined three tiers of service provision: tier 1 - awareness raising, education and signposting; tier 2 - assessment and self-help advice; tier 3 - specialist input involving specific treatment strategies. Acknowledged limitations are the pressures and relatively novel nature of pharmacy research which presents challenge in promoting participation.Conclusions
This is the first evidence-based PBBS service specification, developed to inform future practice. Key requirements include record sharing, advances in training, and reimbursement to enable the PBBS to be viable for community pharmacy provision. The PBBS provides potential for early identification, promotion of continence health, and self-help activation in community settings.
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BibTeX
@article{cotterill2026pharmacy,
title = {{Pharmacy role in the proMotion of continencE (PRIME): a co-production study to develop a pharmacy bladder and bowel service.}},
author = {Nikki Cotterill and Alan Uren and Ade Williams and David Chandler and Hugh McLeod and Shoba Dawson and Margaret Watson},
journal = {BMC health services research},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12913-026-15123-8},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42907888},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Pharmacy role in the proMotion of continencE (PRIME): a co-production study to develop a pharmacy bladder and bowel service.
AU - Nikki Cotterill
AU - Alan Uren
AU - Ade Williams
AU - David Chandler
AU - Hugh McLeod
AU - Shoba Dawson
AU - Margaret Watson
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC health services research
DO - 10.1186/s12913-026-15123-8
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42907888
AB - Background Urinary and faecal incontinence affects millions. Community pharmacies provide local community healthcare highlighting opportunity for innovation in continence promotion. The Pharmacy Role In the proMotion of continencE (PRIME) study was conducted to investigate development of a Pharmacy Bladder and Bowel Service (PBBS) incorporating key stakeholder engagement.Methods A UK online survey, employing convenience sampling of community pharmacy staff identified current practice, and barriers and facilitators to PBBS development, between July and November 2022. These findings were incorporated into an evidence brief supported by findings from earlier PRIME sub-studies (systematic literature review and qualitative interviews). The evidence brief guided stakeholder participant workshop discussions using co-production methodology, during April and June 2023, to derive a protocolised service specification for the PBBS, detailing underpinning requirements and scope of service, as the final stage of this study.Results Twenty-nine community pharmacy participants completed the survey reporting some provision of lifestyle advice in practice with clear scope for expansion. Subsequently, sixteen participants including Community Pharmacists, Bladder and Bowel Service staff, Service users and healthcare commissioners participated in two workshops. The PPBS service specification outlined three tiers of service provision: tier 1 - awareness raising, education and signposting; tier 2 - assessment and self-help advice; tier 3 - specialist input involving specific treatment strategies. Acknowledged limitations are the pressures and relatively novel nature of pharmacy research which presents challenge in promoting participation.Conclusions This is the first evidence-based PBBS service specification, developed to inform future practice. Key requirements include record sharing, advances in training, and reimbursement to enable the PBBS to be viable for community pharmacy provision. The PBBS provides potential for early identification, promotion of continence health, and self-help activation in community settings.
SN - 1472-6963
ER -