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The Continence Service is an integrated team of bladder and bowel specialist nurses, assistant practitioners and pelvic health physiotherapists with expertise in the care and treatment of bladder, bowel and pelvic health, including pelvic dysfunction and incontinence, supported by an administrative team.
We provide education, advice and treatment to empower our clients to manage their condition. Our goal is to improve symptoms for all bladder, bowel and pelvic floor problems, providing personalised management of ongoing conditions with the aim of improving overall quality of life.
Depending on your symptoms, we may offer you an education session where we will share explanations and self-management techniques or an appointment with a bladder and bowel specialist nurse or a pelvic health physiotherapist. If you meet the referral criteria, we will offer you a follow up appointment. If you do not meet the criteria we may make onward referrals to other services or providers to support you further
We would like to offer you a video or telephone appointment with one of our team. We will be able to let you know the different options available to you when you call in to book your appointment.
We would encourage you to accept a video call which will allow you to meet your clinician. You will need a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone with a good connection to the internet, a private area where you will not be disturbed and a camera, speakers and microphone.
You will not need to create an account and your information will not be stored on the video system. You can find out more information about video calls via our website: www.kentcht.nhs.uk/virtual-appointment-advice.
We regularly signpost our clients to the following resources. We would recommend taking a look to support you in letting us know what is important to you as well as thinking about what you would like to get out of your first appointment. We can provide communication support or information in different
formats. Please tell us as soon as possible, or ask someone to tell us on your behalf, before your appointment, if you need any support, including the following:
- an interpreter, a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter, or information in another language
- information in large print, Braille, Easy Read (using pictures) or audio.
Continence service - www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/continence-service
Take a look to find out what the service offers and how to contact the team. You can also find useful links and information, tips on how to manage different types of bladder and bowel symptoms and watch our education session.
Squeezy App – www.squeezyapp.co.uk
An app designed by chartered physiotherapists who specialize in women’s and men’s pelvic health. It has been created to support people with pelvic floor muscle exercise programmes. The app comes with an exercise plan designed by a physiotherapist and includes a diary to help keep track of any symptoms.
Bladder and Bowel UK - www.bbuk.org.uk
Information and advice for adults, children and young people with bladder and bowel issues and for their families and carers. Bladder and Bowel UK have a helpline offering free confidential advice as well as a range of helpful products, resources and information. Here you can also view their handy interactive newsletter and read about other people’s experiences on their blog.
One You Kent - www.kent.nhs.uk/service/one-you-kent
Healthy changes start with little changes. Whether you want to lose weight, get active, quit smoking, or just feel better about life One You Kent is here to support YOU. One You advisers are able to support you by telephone and video calls from the comfort of your home.
Help Kent and Medway - www.helpkentandmedway.co.uk
Help Kent and Medway is a free NHS funded service that provides counselling and talking therapies. Therapy can help you accept your diagnosis, talk about work pressures, relationship worries or feelings of loneliness or isolation and can provide you with strategies to manage stress and anxiety. Take a look at their interactive map of Kent to find services in your local area.