This weeks Hall of Fame member is Jeanette Haslam.
Name: Jeanette Haslam
Profession: Physiotherapist
Which was your first ICS meeting: Rome, 8th - 11th September 1993
Why are you an ICS member: I joined the ICS as a result of knowing a very enthusiastic member- Jo Laycock. She has been an educator, collaborator and continues to be a good friend of mine. Over the years it was a delight to see how all the disciplines developed in a mutual respect (most of the time!). In later years, a special mention must be given to the ICS physiotherapy round table that enabled all the physiotherapists to meet together to network, encourage and enthuse like-minded people from all over the world. In the physiotherapy world Marijke Slieker-ten Hove energy into the round tables must be remembered by all. I was also honoured to be presenting at several ICS workshops in which the presenters also learn from the audience.
Special ICS memories: The first meeting that I attended in Rome made me appreciate the value of meeting with so many people of different disciplines, working and developing the care of those with continence issues. The wonderful 'Manchester experts' including Gordon Hosker and Tony Smith ensured that I knew where to go together with other new ICS members. The meeting introduced me to high scientific presentations, practical and caring issues as all being part of the whole, with in depth questioning ensuring rigour of all presentations. There are so many that I remember being helpful in the early years. The ability to meet people of all levels who would listen to you, make suggestions, be a friendly critic and greet you at the next meeting to ask of any developments was so advantageous. ICS (UK), as an offshoot of ICS, became another supportive strand in the UK. A place to present research and gain confidence before presenting at ICS itself. I was fortunate enough to win the prize for the best poster in 1999. Rome was a special first meeting for many reasons. The first informal evening meal with the Manchester group had me sat next to someone whose name I missed. During the meal I praised a recent paper that I had admired for both it's content and readability. He smiled, then laughed, yes, unknowingly I had been unwittingly praising the man sat next to me; Lewis Wall. Another evening, another meal in Rome: a thief stole Pauline Chiarellis handbag – we noticed when we saw our waiter at the other side of the square recovering it from the thief! Maybe one of the most memorable conferences was the one in Seoul 2001 coming immediately after the tragedy of the terrorist attack on the USA twin towers. ICS continued even though many members could not attend due to their countries airspace being closed. There was a 'can do' attitude with workshops being quickly replaced, Julia Herbert and I put our laptops together and managed to quickly produce a workshop on pelvic floor examination and assessment. I also presented on behalf of Jo Laycock who was unable to attend. The study on which I had been a collaborator, was 'Pelvic Floor exercises, are we teaching them correctly.' There was a generosity of spirit by the questions at the end of the presentation, for which I was most grateful; we even enjoyed some gentle banter. In the future ICS must continue to encourage rigorous research, development, generosity of advice and education of many.
Biggest influence: Firstly, all those patients with so many needs, that had not previously felt able to come forwards as they viewed incontinence was a taboo subject. Secondly all those people working in the field that proved their humanity in how they cared and worked towards better treatments. Many ICS members proved to be these people.
The one paper (or book/article/video) you must read/view: It may be 23 years old but still a delight to read:- L. L. Wall and J. O. L. DeLancey The Politics of Prolapse: A Revisionist Approach to Disorders of the Pelvic Floor in Women Int Urogynecol J (1993) 4:304-309
If you could go back in time what advice would you give to yourself and why: Enjoy every moment, work hard and don't take criticism personally. The people that give constructive criticism are valuable allies.
Biography: Jeanette’s first introduction to women's continence issues was as a physiotherapy student having placements at the Manchester Women's Hospital in the late 60's; without realising that it was at such a centre of excellence. As a result, she continued to be interested in further developing the physiotherapy treatment of women presenting with continence issues. Jeanette later successfully completed the Jo Laycock CSP validated course on the promotion and management of incontinence. Over a very happy and fulfilling career Jeanette was fortunate to be involved in more advanced clinical work, research, writing for journals, editorial boards, peer reviewing for several journals, contributing chapters and editing books on continence, presenting papers at conferences and meetings, lecturing for many professional bodies and setting up higher level courses with organisations and universities in the UK. During this time, she succeeded in gaining a MPhil from the University of Manchester on 'Evaluation of the assessment of the pelvic floor, digitally, manometrically and by EMG in women'. During her professional life she has travelled extensively and had the pleasure of meeting many remarkable people across the disciplines whose enthusiasm has been infectious.
The committees Jeanette has been a member/held a position on of include:- Chartered Physiotherapists promoting continence, Association for Continence Advice, ACPWH Education Committee- the 2006 Nice urinary incontinence guidelines committee, the Continence Foundation. She was honoured when the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in the UK bestowed a distinguished service award to her in 2000.
Jeanette’s own clinical work was in a small district general hospital in the North-West of England. As a result of the confidence in the knowledge gained, including that at ICS, she was able to ensure that Chorley and South Ribble District Hospital became a centre to be proud of. Surely what all people with continence issues should be able to have access to? Jeanette would like to thank ICS and its members for their part in her career. In retirement she continue to be interested in the latest techniques and developments.