Working within a Spinal Unit with Maria Watson

Working within a Spinal Unit with Maria Watson

Marie Watson, Lead Spinal Urology Nurse Specialist, Princess Royal Spinal Cord Injuries Centre, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

“I am the lead urology specialist nurse working at The Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Centre, I manage patients with complex urological needs, and in addition a large proportion of my role includes seeing spinal injuries patients with neurogenic bowel dysfunction.  I inform and teach patients how to perform bowel management strategies in order to improve their quality of life and some of these management options include Transanal irrigation.   

Transanal irrigation has had such a positive impact and influence on many of my spinal patients and I as a clinician would be lost without it as an option to offer to my patients.  It’s also extremely helpful to have such informative leaflets and online resources to point patients to in order to keep the patient well informed of the choices available.  

Many spinal patients would say that the most life changing aspects of having a spinal cord injury are the effects it has on the bladder, bowel and sexual function, this in turn confirms how crucial my role within the centre is, as I discuss and offer management options for these specific, specialist areas of care.”

Marie Watson
Lead Urology Nurse Specialist
Princess Royal Spinal Cord Injuries Centre
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust