Claire Bohr, a paediatric nurse from the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, is the winner of the continence category at the Nursing Times Awards 2008.

Ms Claire Bohr introduced a bowel management programme using transanal irrigation for children experiencing faecal incontinence and soiling problems.

During her time working with the children, she found that some of the children experienced social isolation, lack of self-esteem and name calling at school due to their condition.

As a result the nurse came up with a solution that could help, she identified that transanal irrigation was used in Europe and US but not in the UK, as no specifically designed equipment was available.

Working with her medical colleagues, Claire implemented a programme using anal irrigation with very positive results for the children in her care.

Judges were impressed by Ms Bohr’s ability to look beyond the scope of her role as a stoma nurse and work with medical colleagues and industry to find solutions for her patients.