NHS Prescribed Disposable Continence Containment Products

Introduction

This leaflet explains the support offered for children and young people who require Continence Containment Products prescribed through the NHS. If you require any further information please contact The Children’s Continence Team.

What support will be offered to my child or young person?

All children and young people will receive support to achieve their maximum continence potential, regardless of age, culture or ability. An assessment will be carried out by the school nurse, health visitor or GP prior to a referral being made. This is known as Tier 1 level.
Continence Containment Products can then be supplied following the assessment and after a three to six month toilet training programme.

What is the process following Continence Assessment for a child/young person who is unable to achieve toilet training?

Once the appropriate referral has been received by the Children’s Continence Team, the referral will be checked 

All sections of the referral need completing. If not, it can delay the process and it may be rejected back to the referrer. Referrals need to include a weight, hip and waist measurement in order to ensure correct size product samples are sent.

Sample products will then be sent to try with the child or young person. They can take up to 7 working days to arrive at your home address. They may consist of various sizes and brands of products. Therefore it is advised that all packaging is kept for reference.

If the samples are not suitable, inform the Children’s Continence Team in order to explore further products which may be more suitable for your child or young person. If all products have been explored then this cannot always be guaranteed.

Disposable Pants (Pull ups) are not supplied. They are less effective and less absorbent than alternative products. Studies and clinical experience have shown that they do not support toilet training.

Once your child or young person’s continence containment product has been established an account and delivery will be activated on the Home Delivery Service. This may take up to 7 working days for delivery following activation.

Continence containment products will be supplied in 16 week cycles with up to a maximum of 4 products a day.

Two weeks before the end of the 16 week cycle the parent/carer will need to activate the next delivery of continence containment products through the Home Delivery Service, – (0800 030 4466).

Please contact the Children’s Continence Team for any problems with missed deliveries, suspended accounts or re-sizing of products,  01429 522717.

What if my child or young person requires more products than what is being offered?

The provision of Continence Containment Products is a supplementary service and will offer up to 4 continence containment products per 24 hours. If your child or young person is requiring additional products outside of this amount then this would need to be purchased on an individual basis.

If your child or young person has more frequent bowel movements than usual, they should be assessed for any bowel disorders including constipation by an appropriate medical practitioner.

If your child or young person is passing higher volumes of urine than usual, they should be assessed by an appropriate medical practitioner.

Swimming Products

The NHS do not supply any swimming products to children and young people.

Children and young people up to 18kg can use disposable swimming nappy products available on the market.

Older children and young people would need to use specialist swimwear with a tight waist band and legs to contain any soiled matter.

Annual Product Reassessments

All children and young people who receive Continence Containment Products through the NHS need to undertake six monthly to annual product reassessments. This is to ensure bladder and bowel health, product suitability, product size and fit and that continence containment products are still required.

The Children’s Continence Team in either Children Outpatients Department at University Hospital Hartlepool or North Tees will carry out these reassessments.

If two consecutive Reassessment Appointments are not attended, then Continence Containment Products will be suspended in line with Trust Policy until a reassessment is carried out.

Reference

Bladder & Bowel UK (2021) Guidance for the Provision of Continence Containment Products to Children & Young People, A Consensus Document.

Contact numbers

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Children’s Services Hub

Children’s Continence Team

Telephone: 01429 522717

Monday to Friday, 08.30am to 16.30pm

Websites with further information

Bladder and Bowel UK – https://www.bbuk.org.uk

ERIC – https://www.eric.org.uk

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]