Former musician Andy Speechley developed the Dignity Bidet Commode to help friend Peter retain some independence following a stroke. The Dignity Bidet Commode has made a huge difference to Peter’s life – and has also earned Andy an NHS Innovation Award (pictured).

Devices for Dignity (D4D) played a crucial role in bringing Andy’s ideas to life.
“They provided me with device development expertise and prototyping assistance and facilities,” says Andy. “D4D supported me in making my vision a reality.”

The Dignity Bidet Commode meets a real need, something that was recognised by D4D when Andy first approached the organisation. Following his stroke, Peter was paralysed, making him reliant on carers and sometimes his daughter for his personal care. The commode Peter was using at the time was a simple chair and bucket arrangement. It was after finding Peter upset by the humiliation of having to be cleaned by his daughter that Andy came up with the idea of the new commode.

His idea was for a mobile commode which could be self-controlled, could wash and dry its user without the need for assistance - and that would offer a dignified alternative to the traditional commode. After visits to Peter’s physiotherapist, who supported Andy’s idea, Andy got a grant from the Kirklees and Calderdale Enterprise Scheme and was also referred to D4D. Through D4D, Andy’s prototype – which he had fashioned himself – was developed by a team of design engineers at Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. And from there, the team at D4D assisted with ensuring safety and hygiene standards were met to the appropriate standard.

“Initially I was just looking for validation from an organisation within the NHS that I was doing the right thing – that there wasn’t anything I hadn’t thought of and that I was going in the right direction,” says Andy. “In fact, they provided so much more. They inspired me to fully commit myself to this project.”

Devices for Dignity saw that the Dignity Commode was something that could make a real difference to the quality of life for many people with long term conditions.
“We want to empower people with long term debilitating conditions,” says D4D Clinical Scientist, Avril McCarthy. “Andy’s story exemplifies what we’re aiming for – helping bring innovations into the healthcare sector as quickly as possible.

The Dignity Commode has now been licensed to a major manufacturer who are creating a production model of it. It will be on sale next year. Over the past year, it has achieved national press coverage. In 2009, the Dignity Commode was showcased at the national NHS Innovation Expo, providing exposure to medical professionals who are now referring the product to their patients, and Andy has had the pleasure of presenting his invention to Health Secretary, Andy Burnham and Sir Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer for the UK, and also to Government advisor Lord Darzi and NHS boss David Nicholson.

Andy says “I’m not a product designer or a business person, I’m just someone who had a good idea, who wanted to help a friend. I’m really grateful to D4D – through them I’ve met clinical experts, product design experts and even senior government members, all of which has gone towards making this product a reality – and one that will benefit thousands of people.”

A short film of Andy speaking about bringing his innovation to life can be found here (opens in new window).

If you’ve got an idea or an invention you’d like to discuss with us, please contact us.