Catheter Care and Management Training
People live with urinary catheters for many reasons, from short-term recovery to long-term conditions. Good catheter care protects their dignity, comfort and health, while poor practice can quickly lead to infection and other complications.
This nurse-led course explains how urinary catheters work and gives staff the practical knowledge to support people with catheters safely. Content can be tailored to the needs of a specific client or care package.
Who this course is for
Support workers and carers in domiciliary, supported living and complex care
Healthcare assistants in residential and nursing homes
Registered nurses working in community settings
School and community-based care teams
Care providers needing client-specific or annual refresher training
Family members supporting a relative with a catheter
Tailored options
Indwelling urethral catheter care
Suprapubic catheter care
Intermittent self-catheterisation support
Nephrostomy care
Cystostomy button management
What every session covers
Anatomy and physiology of the urinary system
What a catheter is and why someone may need one
Catheter types and drainage systems (practical)
Emptying and changing drainage bags (practical)
Infection prevention and control in catheter care
Male and female considerations
Consent, capacity and the right to refuse
Dignity in catheter care
Common problems, complications and troubleshooting
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections and sepsis awareness
Stoma site and skin care, where applicable
Documentation, escalation, roles and responsibilities
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, learners will be able to:
Describe the main catheter types and why they are used
Carry out routine catheter care and bag changes hygienically
Recognise signs of infection, blockage and other complications
Respond and escalate appropriately
Record care accurately
Certification
Learners who complete the course and any required assessment receive a CPD-accredited certificate. Refresher training is recommended every 12 months
Important note
This course covers catheter care and maintenance. Catheter insertion is only taught to appropriate registered professionals and requires separate practical training, supervision and competency assessment, in line with NICE guidance and employer policy.
