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The adult bladder and bowel care service has a team of specialist nurses who have advanced knowledge in the assessment and treatment of bladder and bowel problems and provide clinics in East and North Hertfordshire. We provide a telephone advice line and also offer visits to housebound patients. For residents in west Hertfordshire, a similar service is provided by Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust.
This service offers professional, confidential advice and treatment options for bladder and bowel problems, with the aim of improving or curing your symptoms.
Whether you’re visiting us for diagnosis or treatment, our team of specialists are here to support you.
Incontinence, whenever it occurs, is a distressing and embarrassing condition, which greatly undermines quality of life, impinging on the independence and dignity of the individual.
We can offer conservative treatments along with advice and support for individuals experiencing bladder or bowel problems.
Some of the treatments that we provide are:
- Bladder training
- Pelvic Floor Exercises
- Lifestyle changes (weight, fluid intake, diet)
- Medication
- Biofeedback
- Flowmetry
- Intermittent Self catheterisation
- Specialist Appliances (sheaths, male/female urinals)
We recognise that patients with bladder and bowel care requirements need very special attention to make sure they receive the correct care and advice to suit their lifestyle. Our team of experts is dedicated to making you feel comfortable and keeping you informed throughout.
Specialist team
The team comprises of 10 staff:
- 5 registered nurses
- 3 clinical support staff
- 2 administrators
- Contact the service
- Clinic locations
- How the service is provided
- Who is eligible for the service
- What will happen at your appointment
- Useful information
- Making a referral
- Patient experience
Contact the service
The Adult Bladder & Bowel Care service team are based at:
Park Drive Health Centre
Park Drive
Baldock
SG7 6EN
Tel: 01462 492502
Email: Hcnt.bladderandbowelservices@nhs.net
Clinic locations
Park Drive Health Centre
Park Drive
Baldock
SG7 6EN
Tel: 01462 492502
How the service is provided
- Evidence based advice and support to clients with continence problems.
- Assessment, diagnosis, management and treatment of those with bladder and bowel dysfunction.
- Local access clinics for men and women with continence problems.
- Holistic assessment and recommendation for GP’s to treat, following NICE guidelines.
- Provide or refer for appropriate treatment and/or management of patients.
- The service is dedicated to provide a consistent and integrated service across Hertfordshire.
Who is eligible for the service
- The adult bladder and bowel care service is a major referral centre for all adults with different bladder and bowel care requirements.
- We work with people over 18-years of age, carers and other healthcare staff and aim to provide patients with bladder and bowel problems, a range of treatment options to improve their quality of life.
What will happen at your appointment
Enclosed with your appointment letter you will find a bladder diary chart that you are requested to complete prior to attending. This involves measuring the volume of the fluids you drink and the volume of urine you pass, and recording it on the chart provided. (If your problem is bowel related then you will also be sent a bowel diary chart).
These are important diagnostic tools for the specialist nurse and properly completed means she is better informed and able to help you.
On your first appointment you will be asked about your symptoms, your medical history, any medication you are taking, any allergies you have and your urine will be tested for abnormalities. You should also expect to have a bladder scan (gel applied to the area above your pubic bone and a small hand held device held against your abdomen). This will show whether your bladder is emptying properly. Depending on your problem your permission may be required for a vaginal or rectal exam.
Following this initial assessment a treatment plan will be discussed with you and you will be given a follow up appointment.
Our nurse-led clinics include:
- Flowmetry clinics (prostate problems)
- Pelvic Floor assessment and treatment clinics
- General continence clinics (bowel, catheter, bladder problems)
Useful information
Patient Information leaflet
The adult bladder and bowel care service offers services dedicated to treating patients with different bladder and bowel care requirements.
Our highly trained teams understand that patient care needs to be individualised, taking into account psychological and social needs. We are continually researching new ways to improve our services and the technology of our bladder and bowel care.
Our departments work together with other areas of the community such as:
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapists
- Social care services
- Community nurses
- Other specialist nurses
The adult bladder and bowel care service addresses three major areas of activity:
- An on-going assessment, treatment and management of patients with highly complex needs. Neurological patients with neurogenic bladder/bowel condition or following episodes of ill health, trauma or pregnancy
- Patients with some complex problems related to episodes of ill health, trauma and pregnancy
- Patients who require basic education into healthy bladder and bowel programmes
What is an overactive bladder?
If you get little warning of the need to pass urine or need to go very often (in some cases leaking urine because you can’t get to the toilet on time) you may have an overactive bladder.
What is stress incontinence?
Stress incontinence refers to leakage of urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh or lift something heavy. It is the most common type of bladder control problem affecting over 50% of women. It has nothing to do with ‘stress’ in the sense of anxiety but is due to a weakness of the pelvic floor and poor bladder support.
What is the pelvic floor?
It is the layer of muscles from the pubic bone in front to the bottom of the backbone (coccyx). The urethra (front passage), the vagina (birth canal) and the rectum (back passage) pass through the pelvic floor muscles.
What does the pelvic floor do?
- Hold the bladder, womb and bowel in place.
- Stop leakage of urine from the bladder or faeces from the bowel.
- Has a role in sexual activity
Leaflets
For a more comprehensive Bowel Assessment of your patient use the bowel habit diary which includes the Bristol Stool Form Scale.
For a more comprehensive Bladder Assessment of your patient use the bladder record chart .
These tools should be used in conjunction with the assessment of bladder and bowel function policy.
Websites
Bladder & Bowel UK
An organisation promoting awareness and providing information and advice to patients and health professionals, particularly useful for product information and aids to daily living.
www.promocon.co.uk
NHS Choices
Information on conditions, treatments, local services and healthy living.
www.nhs.uk
Making a referral
For routine referrals, please use the referral form below which is available on Systmone or via service to service referral.
Referral form
Contact assessment personal information form or view this in an accessible format
All referrals should be sent to: hct.bladderandbowelreferrals@nhs.net
For urgent referrals please telephone the team at Park Drive Health Centre:
Park Drive Health Centre
Park Drive
Baldock
SG7 6EN
Tel: 01462 492502
Patient experience
If you would like to share your story, please contact the Patient Experience team on 01707 388036 or email hct.patientexperienceteam@nhs.net
We would also love to hear about your experience on our service - please complete a survey by clicking here
