Continence

There is a great deal that can be done to treat incontinence, so assessing the problem is very important to ensure that the correct diagnosis is made.

As incontinence can be embarrassing, coming into hospital can lead to increased anxiety for patients, however extra information and support is available to make the hospital experience better. For those people who are not already receiving treatment, the admission to hospital can be used as an opportunity to find help.

There are many different types of incontinence such as stress incontinence or urge incontinence and many different types of treatments available.

The nurses who work on the wards do have training to assess and treat incontinence, but specialist help is available and can be requested by patients or staff from the continence nurse specialist.

Any patient with incontinence problems who comes into hospital should with them any products such as pads, catheters or medicines so the staff know what they are using.

Services

Services include the assessment and treatment of patients with urinary and / or faecal incontinence.

Assessments include:

• Detailed History

• Bladder Scanning

• Physical exam

Treatments include:

• Teaching patients how to: perform Pelvic Floor exercises

• Teaching patients how to: undertake Bladder Retraining

• perform ‘Clean intermittent self-catheterisation’

• Prescribing medication as appropriate

• Giving lifestyle advice

Clinics

There are two continence clinics held each week:

• Tuesday mornings, in conjunction with Sue Frall (Specialist Physiotherapist), in the Therapies Department at Broomfield Hospital

• Thursday mornings, in conjunction with Gynaecologists held in the Gynaecology Department at Broomfield Hospital

Staff Education

There is a strong commitment to promoting a high standard of continence care across the Trust. Therefore there is a strong focus on staff education to develop continence skills and awareness.

• As part of this education, formal training is provided in the classroom setting, as well as student nurses being offered clinical placements

• Registered Nurse continence training is part of the Trust core skills education programme and further training is available provided in conjunction with the Primary Care Continence Team

• Junior Doctors training is provided as part of their induction to the Trust

• Link Nurses for Continence. This group of nurses who have a special interest in continence problems, have been established representing each of the clinical areas as a resource for patients and other members of staff

Information Leaflets

The use of the Incontact Booklets has been endorsed by MEHT's patient information group. The booklets are available free to patients from Incontact contact details below, or they can be downloaded from the Incontact website.

Titles available are:

• A Healthy Bladder – and what to do if things go wrong

• Healthy Bowels – and what to do if things go wrong

• Leaking Urine – all about stress incontinence

• Just Can’t Wait – help for those people who have to rush to the loo

• Troubled Nights – help for people who wet the bed

Location

MEHT Continence services, Court Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford, CM1 7ET.

Referrals

Referrals can be made to the continence service from both Health Care Professionals and self-referrals from the public. Whilst in hospital clinical staff can refer patients or patients themselves can ask to see the specialist nurse. Referrals from health professionals should be sent to: MEHT Mid Essex Referrals Centre, Broomfield Hospital, Pudding Woods Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 7ET.