The recent publication of the updated RCN Catheter Care Guidelines has given me a moment to pause and reflect, not only on the value of the guidance within bladder and bowel care, but also on my own experience of contributing to its review.

Long before I had the privilege of joining the RCN Bladder & Bowel Care Steering Committee, the catheter care guidance was very much a “go to” document in my clinical practice. It supported me daily in delivering safe, evidence-based care and played a central role in the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and catheter care training sessions. Over the years, I have used the guidance as the backbone for education delivered across primary, secondary and long-term care settings. It has supported training not only for registered nurses, but also for nursing associates and healthcare assistants. 

But beyond shaping training and SOPs, the document has always offered something equally important: a clear benchmark against which services can measure their practice and standards of care. Given that history, it will come as no surprise that when the guidance was due for review, the sense of responsibility felt significant, both for me and my colleagues involved in the process.

I’ll be honest, my first reaction was, “Who, me?” closely followed by a familiar wave of imposter syndrome, as I instinctively scanned the room (and my own thoughts) for someone far more experienced or “loftier” than myself, assuming they must surely be who was intended for the task.

Yet, reflection reminded me that the responsibility of reviewing such a trusted and widely used document rests not solely with those who feel the most confident, but with those who actively live the realities of modern catheter care. Those who see first-hand, how practice has evolved, where barriers exist, and where guidance needs to reflect the world as it truly is.

Updating the document was never simply about refreshing wording or referencing newer evidence. It was about ensuring the guidance reflected how catheter care is delivered across a wide range of settings. Practice has changed significantly. More services than ever are now delivering trial without catheter in community environments, and catheter care is undertaken by an increasingly diverse range of practitioners and roles.

These changes matter. Guidance needs to speak to those delivering care day-to-day, acknowledging expanded roles, multidisciplinary working, and the challenges of providing high-quality catheter care. The review process aimed to ensure the document remained practical, relevant and accessible, while continuing to uphold the standards clinicians rely upon.

Being involved in the review was both humbling and affirming. It reinforced how valuable clinical experience is when shaping national guidance and reminded me that feeling unsure does not preclude you from having something important to contribute.

Seeing the updated guidance published has been a proud moment for us all on the committee, not just because of our involvement, but because we know how many clinicians will continue to turn to it as we do: for reassurance, clarity and support in delivering safe, effective catheter care.