Winner of the Sarah Henderson Best Poster Award!

Winner of the Sarah Henderson Best Poster Award at BAUN 2025!

We are delighted to share that our UTI Information Nurse, Helen Lake, has been awarded the Sarah Henderson Best Poster Award at the British Association of Urological Nurses (BAUN) Annual Conference 2025.

Helen’s poster, “UTI Voices: A Year of UTI Support — Themes and Insights from a Nurse-Led Information Service”, showcases the impact of our UTI Information Service in its first year. It highlights the challenges faced by people living with recurrent or chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), the difference our service has made, and the valuable insights gathered to shape future support.

UTI Voices: Themes, Insights and Impact

Launched by The Urology Foundation in 2024, the UTI Information Service was created to fill a clear gap in care for people affected by recurrent or chronic UTIs.

• UTIs are common, painful, and increasingly difficult to treat, with significant impact on quality of life and growing pressure on health services.
• Diagnostics are often limited, and patients report inconsistent advice, delays in treatment, and difficulty navigating care pathways.
• The Nurse-led helpline and email service provides clear, accessible information and a listening ear, helping people better understand symptoms, treatment options, and when to seek further help.

In its first year, the service handled hundreds of enquiries, covering themes such as:

• Recurrent UTIs
• Antibiotic use
• Vaginal oestrogen
• Catheter care

The insights gathered reinforce the need for greater awareness, consistent guidance, and patient-centred communication. The service has been warmly received by both patients and professionals, and there is now potential to expand its reach: supporting informed self-care, amplifying patient voices, and strengthening collaboration across urology, women’s health, primary care, and pharmacy services.

Helen’s Reflections

Speaking about the award, Helen said:

“It’s an honour to have the service recognised.  This award helps highlight just how much this kind of support matters to people. I’m proud to see the voices of those affected by UTIs at the heart of our work.”

Looking Ahead

Helen’s recognition at BAUN is not only a personal achievement but also a milestone for The Urology Foundation’s commitment to improving care for people living with UTIs. We are proud of the impact our UTI Information Service and Helpline has already made and look forward to continuing to support people living with this often debilitating condition, as well as those caring for them.

About the Award

The Sarah Henderson Poster Award is presented annually for the best urological nursing poster at BAUN. To be considered, posters must be original, relevant to urological nursing, and meet strict criteria for presentation. The award recognises innovative projects and issues in urological nursing, with winners receiving a bursary to attend the conference.

The award’s purpose is to:

• Recognise and reward innovative and original work in urological nursing
• Encourage high-quality poster presentations at the BAUN conference

Helen’s work exemplifies both aims, bringing patient voices and frontline nursing expertise.