Continence Promotion Service

What is continence?

Continence is when you have full control of your bladder and bowel.

How can the service help me?

Bladder and bowel problems are very common. People are often too embarrassed to seek help.

There are many simple things that can be done to deal with the problems you are having; these include:

• Urinary tract infection: Pain or burning when passing urine (wee) could mean a urinary tract infection. You may notice your urine looks cloudy or smells differently. Sometimes an infection can be present without any symptoms, so it is worth asking your GP or nurse to check this out.

• Prostate gland trouble: Your GP will be able to assess (check) if this is a problem and advise you about treatment, especially if this is causing leakage.

• Possible side effects of some medication (drugs): Some medications may affect how your bladder and bowel work. You should discuss this with your GP.

You must not change the time you take your medication or stop taking your medication without speaking to your GP first.

• Severe constipation: This can cause urinary incontinence due to pressure on the bladder.

Bowel leakage can also occur when motions (poo) leaks around the hard stool blocking the bowel. It is important to discuss this with a healthcare professional.

• Memory problems: Some people can lose their memory of what to do in the toilet or even where the toilet is.

How can I help if I am caring for someone with this problem?

If the person cannot tell you when they need the toilet, you should look for other signs such as wandering, fidgeting, pulling at clothes.

People can forget to drink or are reluctant to drink. We should drink 1.5 to 2 litres (3 to 4 pints) of fluid each day to keep our bladder and bowels healthy.

It may be helpful if the toilet door is left open and a light is left on at night to help direct them to the toilet.

Sometimes it can be helpful if a toilet routine is decided, keep to it and tell all carers. This means that if the person spends time apart from you, the routine to use the toilet is the same.

Your healthcare professional can advise you about all of the above or you can contact the Continence Service for more information.

The following leaflets are available:

• Stress urinary incontinence.
• Urge urinary incontinence.
• How to do pelvic floor exercises – Information for Women.
• How to do pelvic floor exercises – Information for Men.

Please ask your GP or nurse for a copy of these leaflets.

Bladder and bowel problems can be assessed and treated. This can improve your quality of life and make sure you can carry on with your everyday activities.

Patients are usually seen in clinic. Your first appointment will take about 45 minutes.

During this appointment your nurse will discuss:

• Your symptoms and how they affect you.
• What type of fluid you should drink.
• How much you should drink.
• How often you go to the toilet.
• Your medical and surgical history.
• Any medication you are taking.

After your assessment, your nurse will discuss your treatment options and agree a plan of care with you.

Who can use this service?

The Continence Service is available to all adults living in the Stockton or Hartlepool area. Specialist nurses run these local clinics.

If you are housebound, you can contact your community nurse to arrange a home visit to discuss your problems.

How can I contact the Continence Service?

You can ask your GP, practice nurse or community nurse to refer you to the service.

You can contact the service yourself on telephone: 01429 522500.

Doctors and nurses discuss these types of problems every day and are willing to listen to you.

Contact numbers

If you need further advice or have any questions or worries, you should talk to your nurse or continence nurse.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Continence Advisor

Telephone SPA patient line: 01429 522500

Opening hours: 8.30am to 4.30pm (Monday to Friday)

Further information is available from:

Bladder & Bowel Community

Forward House

17 High Street

Henley-in-Arden

B95 5AA

Email: [email protected]

Home Delivery Service: 0800 031 5406

Bladder & Bowel UK

Burrows House, 10 Priestley Road

Wardley Industrial Estate

Worsley

M28 2LY

General enquiries telephone: 0161 607 8219

Email: [email protected]

RADAR KEYS (for disabled toilet access)

11 Church Street

Exmouth

EX8 1PE

General enquiries telephone: 01395 222588

Email: [email protected]

Information used in the development of this leaflet:

Excellence in continence care (2018) Practical guidance for commissioners, providers, health and social care staff and information for the public. https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/excellence-in-continence-care.pdf

Bladder and bowel foundation (2008) ‘Dispelling the myths’ the truth about bladder & bowel disorders. Bromley Health Care.

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:

Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

Telephone: 01642 617617

Data protection and use of patient information

The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]