The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) has recently welcomed Vanilla Blush as a new member. Vanilla Blush specialises in intimate healthcare apparel and devices for individuals who have undergone abdominal wall surgery.
The BHTA recently caught up with Nicola Dames, CEO of Vanilla Blush, to hear more about how the firm began, its unique products that combine fashion and healthcare while improving the lives of patients, and the tangible benefits of BHTA membership.
Nicola Dames, originally from Dublin, embarked on her journey toward nursing by leaving Ireland in 1998 to pursue a nursing course at Kingston University and St. George’s Hospital in Tooting, London. Before venturing into nursing, Nicola gained experience working in pharmacies across Dublin, where she served notable figures such as Fr. Ted and Lisa Stansfield.
Her career path took her to Brown Thomas, a prestigious department store, where she further honed her skills in customer service and retail. After qualifying as a nurse, Nicola discovered her passion for neurology, particularly within the realm of neuro-intensive care units (ITU).
However, her journey took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Despite this challenge, she found unwavering support in her now-husband, who accepted her illness without hesitation and proposed to her.
Following their marriage, Nicola and her husband, a secondary school teacher and fellow ITU nurse, made the bold decision to leave their jobs and embark on a new adventure in Spain.
Nicola commented: “After our time in Spain, my illness started to resurface, and despite medication, it became increasingly difficult to manage. Following two hospitalisations, the realisation dawned that I needed to be closer to home for better medical support. With my husband being Scottish, we made the decision to settle in Glasgow.
“In 2006, just one year into our marriage, I received the joyous news that I was pregnant. However, this happiness was short-lived as I was soon admitted to the hospital due to complications. Within a few weeks, I experienced the heart-breaking loss of both the baby and my large bowel. It was during this tumultuous time that I underwent surgery, resulting in the creation of a stoma (Ileostomy).”
Vanilla Blush was born out of this journey.
Vanilla Blush unfolds a compelling narrative rooted in Nicola’s transformative journey from nursing to fashion, coupled with her personal battle with ulcerative colitis. This distinctive fusion of healthcare and design expertise propels the creation of intimate health apparel and medical devices for individuals with stoma/ostomy or hernias post-surgery.
Noteworthy milestones, such as winning awards, launching medical devices, and delving into university-led research, underscore the company’s commitment to innovation and enhancing the lives of those who’ve undergone major surgeries.
The global reach, team expansion, and recent initiatives, like the launch of a new website, signify continued growth and impact. Furthermore, the emphasis on working collaboratively with all partners in the industry, making Vanilla Blush data-rich, adds a layer of sophistication to its narrative—highlighting a commitment to comprehensive industry engagement and knowledge.
Overall, it’s a story of resilience, purpose, and ongoing dedication to advancing healthcare solutions.
Discussing some of the challenges Vanilla Blush faces, Nicola commented: “As a small business deeply rooted in patient care, we understand the critical balance between clinical necessity and patient experience. In the dynamic landscape of cost-saving initiatives within the NHS, where decisions often hinge on distinguishing between luxury and clinical need, we proudly stand as innovators who prioritise both.
“Our garments, born out of empathy and expertise, are more than just products; they are solutions meticulously crafted to enhance patient well-being.
“While larger competitors may have the resources to reach decision-makers first, we advocate for a fair and inclusive evaluation of innovative solutions from small businesses. Our commitment to excellence isn’t measured by the size of our team, but by the impact of our patient-centric approach.
“We invite policy and regulation decisionmakers to recognise the unique value that smaller, innovative businesses bring to the healthcare landscape – a value that extends beyond the balance sheets to the very lives we aim to improve.”
Vanilla Blush decided to become a BHTA member for several compelling reasons, as Nicola explained: “First and foremost, our commitment to providing high-quality products and services aligned closely with the BHTA’s mission to promote excellence within the healthcare industry. We first heard about the BHTA through industry networks and recognised it as a reputable and influential organisation within the healthcare sector.”
Nicola added that by joining the association, Vanilla Blush gains access to a wealth of resources, expertise, and networking opportunities.
“This includes access to training and educational programs, regulatory guidance, and industry updates, all of which are invaluable for staying abreast of the latest developments and best practices in our field,” continued Nicola.
“Furthermore, being a member of the BHTA provides us with a platform to engage with other industry professionals, exchange ideas, and collaborate on initiatives that benefit the wider healthcare community. This not only enhances our visibility and credibility within the industry but also fosters partnerships and opportunities for growth.
“Specifically for our business, the BHTA can support us in various ways. This includes advocacy and representation on regulatory matters, ensuring that our interests are effectively represented at the policy level. Additionally, the association offers support with compliance and quality assurance, helping us to uphold the highest standards of product safety and efficacy.
“Moreover, being part of a larger association like the BHTA provides us with a sense of belonging to a community of like-minded professionals who share our commitment to excellence in healthcare. This collective strength enables us to amplify our voice, influence positive change, and drive innovation within the industry.
“In summary, our decision to become a BHTA member was driven by our shared values, the tangible benefits of membership, and the opportunities for collaboration and growth that it affords. We are confident that our partnership with the BHTA will not only support our business goals but also contribute to advancing healthcare standards and improving patient outcomes.”
To find out more about how the BHTA can support your business and how to become a BHTA member, visit this page.
The Scottish Stoma Forum worked with Sir Edward Mountain MSP to bring together around 40 individuals from across the stoma community in Edinburgh for a first-of-its-kind dedicated event on stoma care in Holyrood yesterday (4 October 2023).
To raise awareness and launch five calls to action to improve stoma care services in Scotland, the day saw a range of activities, including people with a stoma climbing up Arthur’s Seat to show what is possible when high-quality care is in place; a dedicated debate in Holyrood; and an evening reception where MSPs heard first-hand about patients’ experiences of living with a stoma.
An estimated 20,000 people live with a stoma in Scotland, and numbers continue to increase by approximately three percent every year; the Scottish Stoma Forum is committed to raising awareness about this often misunderstood and under prioritised condition.
The formation of a stoma can be life-changing and access to specialist care and advice is essential to enable people to live their lives to the fullest post-surgery. As a supporter of this campaign, Sir Edward Mountain MSP has personal experience of living with a stoma (which has now been reversed) and understands the impact that good stoma care can have.
To gain an up-to-date picture of the current state of play regarding stoma care services in Scotland, and to identify where improvements are needed, the Scottish Stoma Forum undertook a survey of stoma patients and specialist nurses.
From almost 1,000 responses, 85 percent viewed the support of surgeons and stoma care nurses as ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ important. Despite this, many of the patient views in the survey demonstrated concerning gaps in service. For example, patients expressed that where they experience a lack of contact with health professionals and a wider sense of isolation, everyday living and the consequences of having a stoma can be extremely challenging.
It is this survey which led to the development of the five calls to action being launched in Holyrood yesterday.
These five asks aim to improve stoma care services across Scotland. They are:
Among the speakers at the evening reception, Jillian Matthew, who lives in Edinburgh, shared her experience with a stoma: “Having a stoma can bring a range of physical and mental challenges, and there’s a lack of understanding about stomas and the various reasons people might have one.
“You can still live a full life with a stoma as I do, but getting the right support and information is crucial. That’s why it’s so important to raise awareness, and I’m keen to share my experience with MSPs to help inform what good care and support looks like for people with a stoma across Scotland.”
Louise Hoolighan, Specialist Stoma Care Nurse, commented: “As a specialist stoma care nurse, I know how overwhelming it can be for people living with a stoma but also what is possible for patients when they receive high quality care and support. These calls to action are about improving stoma care services across Scotland so that no patient is left behind. I am proud to be involved in this first of its kind event today and look forward to sharing my experience with MSPs.”
Professor Param Mariappan, Urology Surgeon and Chair of the Scottish Stoma Forum said: “The Scottish Stoma Forum is delighted to be working with Sir Edward Mountain MSP and people from across the stoma community on this very special and important event. Together, we share a commitment to amplifying the voice of the stoma community, and by identifying and raising awareness of our five calls to action, we want to improve the stoma care provided to those living with stomas in Scotland so they can live their lives to the fullest.”
Formed in 2007, the Scottish Stoma Forum (SSF) has a broad membership made up of patient groups, healthcare professionals and industry bodies. It also works collaboratively with NSS NHS National Procurement and the Scottish Government on key initiatives and activities when required.
Current involvement includes:
Further information can be found here.
A stoma is an artificial opening in the body that is used to discharge waste. The surgery is performed
to treat a range of conditions, including bowel and bladder cancer and Inflammatory Bowel Disease,
as well as trauma and disability.
In light of continuing concerns around a lack of progress around stoma care, the Scottish Stoma Forum sought to scope the experiences and views of people living with a stoma and the clinicians who care for them through a patient survey.
From the survey results, the Scottish Stoma Forum developed the following recommendations, which are aligned to the five calls to action launched in Holyrood as part of the stoma awareness day on 4 October 2023:
The event – which was attended by patients, industry, MSPs, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders – took place on 4 October 2023 in Edinburgh to raise awareness of stoma care access Scotland.
A series of activities took place, including:
Kevin Hodges
Membership Engagement Manager, British Healthcare Trades Association
+44 (0) 7711627419