Bladder and Bowel Service

The Bladder and Bowel Service assesses, investigates and treats  adults who are experiencing bladder problems or bowel dysfunction. There are a range of investigations that are available that help us to determine the best course of treatment, based on individual patients needs.

 

Who delivers it?

The service is delivered by specialist bladder and bowel nurses, who deliver clinics in community settings.

 

Don't suffer in silence, come talk about your symptoms and start with a positive way forward.

 

Our specialist teams can help you - ask your GP for a referral or contact our teams directly on the contact telephone listed on this page.

What should a patient  expect from the specialist bladder and bowel service?

• Before the appointment they will be asked to complete self-assessment documentation to help the assessment process.
• Visit a clinic to receive a specialist, holistic continence assessment which will take at least an hour to complete.
• This may involve the patient undergoing investigations, relevant to their symptoms including; vaginal pelvic floor assessment, bladder ultra-sound scan or rectal examination.

 

Once the assessment has been completed and type or types of incontinence have been diagnosed, treatment may include:

• lifestyle advice or interventions.
• pelvic floor exercises, including treatment for those currently unable to contract their pelvic floor
• bladder re-training
• 'prescription medication' based treatment
• support with continence management, including the use of containment products
• teaching of intermittent self-catheterisation
• signposting to other services
• management of constipation and/or faecal incontinence.
• implement specialist bowel care regimes, including rectal irrigation.

 

Please be aware that housebound patients including patients with psychological illness which prevents them from accessing a clinic, or following a treatment program, will initially need to be referred to a district nurse for assessment and treatment.  These referrals can be made via the Single Point of Access on 0300 555 1919.

 

If required, the district nurses can request support from our specialist nurses for patients with complex needs around continence management, catheter care or bowel management. 

Bladder and Bowel Clinic

Bladder and bowel clinics are held in citywide locations, Monday to Friday, 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

Chaperone advice for patients

A chaperone is a trained healthcare professional who is present during any intimate examination or procedure to help ensure your privacy, dignity and safety. Their role is to act as an impartial observer, support clear communication, and provide reassurance throughout the examination.

A chaperone will:

• help maintain appropriate draping and privacy,
• notice if you are uncomfortable,
• and can pause or stop the examination if you request it.

You can:

• ask for a chaperone at any time, and you may also decline one; this decision will be respected and recorded.
• request a chaperone of a particular gender, and you may decline a specific individual without giving a reason.

If a chaperone is required but not available, your appointment may be rescheduled unless delaying your care would negatively affect your health. Family or friends are welcome to be present for comfort, but they cannot act as the formal chaperone.

Our aim is to ensure you feel safe, respected and fully informed throughout your care.