Pessary Fitting for Pelvic Health Physiotherapists; Assessing, Clinical Reasoning and Fitting
Third Party Event
| Venue | Elaine Barry Physio, 10 Prince Of Wales Tce, Bray A98A4X0 |
| City | Bray |
| County | Wicklow |
| Contact Hours | 8.5 |
| Event Type | Course/Workshop |
| Specialities | Pelvic Health & Continence |
| Presenter Details | Susan Stephenson is a Clinical Specialist in Pelvic Health Physiotherapy, treating both women and men. Susan completed a Certificate in Physiology & Health Sciences in Carlow IT in 2004, before going to the UK to complete her undergraduate BSc (Hons) Degree in Physiotherapy at Keele University in 2007. In Australia she consolidated her physiotherapy knowledge and gained experience through rotations in orthopaedics, neurology, gerontology, stroke rehabilitation, musculoskeletal outpatients and hydrotherapy whilst working in the Australian Medicare system. She also gained exposure to women’s health physiotherapy in Australia, where she started post-graduate training in this specialty and discovered her passion. In 2011 she returned to Ireland to work in Primary Care in Dundalk where she consolidated her women’s health knowledge. In 2013 she moved to Cavan General Hospital where she gained experience in inpatients maternity ward, outpatients’ women’s and men’s health and she also acted as student tutor for undergraduate physiotherapy students from UCD. She further developed her interest in women’s health by completing a Post Graduate Certificate in Continence Physiotherapy at the University of Bradford in 2014. Susan is an enthusiastic, lifelong learner and teacher. She has worked with, and been mentored by, international pelvic health physiotherapy pioneers. She is innovative in healthcare and set up the first Gynaecology Triage Physiotherapy post in Cavan General Hospital in 2018 – similar the ambulatory gynaecology model of care which as since been rolled out across the country. Susan is particularly passionate about pessaries, and the role physiotherapists can play in the use of pessaries for the management of prolapse and urinary incontinence. She has taught at international conferences (PelviCon 2023), national conferences (Continence Foundation Ireland 2022) and is a tutor on the Advanced Practitioners Pessary Course for the POGP (Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy) in the UK. Outside of work, Susan is married with three young children to keep her on her toes. She loves to keep active for her mind as well as her body. You will find her farming, running or in the gym training for her first Hyrox this year. She is passionate about empowering and enabling women to get back doing the things they love – for mental as well as physical health. Whether that is being able to walk, run, jive or manage the physical load of motherhood, she gets it! And she will do her very best to find a solution to enable you to find relief from the leaking, prolapse or pain that is getting in the way of your goals. Sessions will be facilitated by Elaine Barry, Chartered Physio in Pelvic Health and held at Elaine Barry Physio in Bray. B |
| Refreshments Included | Yes |
| Free Event | No |
| How to Book | Booking form attached |
| Booking Link | https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPA0DC4O5U3gg4ECme2oEhP9QTVttZHdTCTajvQpq8lMoY6Q/viewform?usp=publish-editor |
| Contact Person | Elaine Barry |
| Contact Email | elainebarryphysio@gmail.com |
| Pre Course Requirement | Working With Pelvic Health |
| Member Price | €400.00 |
| Non-Member Price | €450.00 |
| Date | 26 Sep 2026 09:00 - 26 Sep 2026 16:30 |
One-day face-to-face training for pelvic health physiotherapists focused on:
- assessment and clinical reasoning for pessary use,
- practical fitting skills,
- troubleshooting and patient communication,
- and building confidence in integrating pessary work into practice.
Numbers small (maximum 12 participants) so that the practical element remains high quality and interactive.
Course schedule
60-90 mins pre-recorded lecture on pelvic floor and fascial anatomy relevant to pessary management - grading of prolapse, POP-Q, how pessaries can help with SUI also. Research relevant to the area.
On the day: 9am - 4.30pm
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9am Intro
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9.15am Review pre-recorded lecture
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9.30 - 10.30
-
DeLanceys 3 levels of support, Tunnel vs funnel
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Space occupying vs Support pessaries
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Process of assessment, sizing and fitting pessary.
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Review of the research
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10.30 - 10.45 Tea Break
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10.45 - 12.15: Practical: assess, size and fit ring pessaries.
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12.15 - 12.30: Feedback and questions
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12.30 - 1pm Lunch
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1-1.45pm
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Infection control
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Clinical considerations
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Setting up a service considerations
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1.45 - 3pm - assessing and fitting a cube pessary
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3-4.30: Case studies to work through
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Troubleshooting scenarios
*optional follow-on clinical competency pathway through Haven Pelvic Health. This would involve supervised patient sessions and competency assessment after the course for physios who want more supported clinical experience before practising independently.
