Resources

Over 20 million people suffer from some form of bladder or bowel issue in the UK (NHS England, 2018). Continece problems can be caused by a number of factors, particularly vaginal childbirth (Barrie, 2015). This article discusses the recently published guidance document from the Royal Collage of Nursing (RCN), Bladder and bowel care in childbirth (RCN, 2021) - providing information for women throughout pregnancy, labour and into the postnatal period.

Urological conditions will affect one in two people during the course of their lifetime, yet they remain shrouded in secrecy and silence. This article highlights the work of The Urology Foundation, the only medical charity which works across the breadth of all urology diseases and is dedicated to improving the nation’s urological health.

It is easy to say you are holding an awareness month, but let’s consider the why, what and how.

This article examines the guidance available for school leaders, proprietors, governors, staff and practitioners to help them better support children and young people with bladder and bowel issues as they return to school.

Urinary incontinence is prevalent in men, with 61% of the general population of men experiencing lower urinary tract symptoms. These symptoms present as problems with voiding, storage or post-micturition of urine. Even after assessment and treatment, some men are still left with urinary incontinence, which is normally managed or contained by either pad products or urinary catheters (if clinically indicated). However, there is a vast range of alternative devices for containment. This article reviews some of the alternative devices that are available, namely sheaths, body worn urinals and penile compression clamps. It discusses the merits and disadvantages of each device and advises when they should or should not be used.

It is estimated that one in 12 children and young people in the UK suffer with a wetting or soiling problem, which can have a devastating impact on their family life, social life and self-esteem. Left untreated, bladder and bowel problems can cause serious health complications, but with the right treatment and support most children can overcome their problem or learn to manage it. This article outlines what ERIC, The Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity, can do to help.

‘Urinary incontinence is among the most common paediatric problems and it is commonly assumed to resolve with age. Consequently, parents and clinicians often adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach. A significant proportion of children, however, continue to suffer from persistent urinary incontinence into adolescence. This article describes the development of a smartphone app to aid adherence to bladder training in young people with urinary incontinence.

Indwelling urinary catheters are still one of the most commonly used invasive devices in health care, with recognised significant risk factors, including catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CaUTI) and sepsis. Timely and successful removal of the catheter often falls to the responsibility of community nurses. There has been much debate about the optimum timing and circumstances for a successful trial without catheter (TWOC). This article looks at best practice guidelines and relevant clinical evidence to support healthcare professionals in making choices around TWOC procedures.

World Continence Week (WCW), taking place from 21–27 June, is an annual health campaign run by the World Federation for Incontinence and Pelvic Problems (WFIPP). The campaign highlights the impact that urinary incontinence can have on people’s lives and encourages sufferers to seek help to improve their quality of life.

Current Covid restrictions have forced many healthcare professionals to embrace technology and work in very different ways. Indeed, the traditional telephone has allowed the Newcastle continence service to provide a service to patients referred with all types of urinary incontinence. But, is it even possible to assess someone’s continence and devise a treatment plan over the telephone?