Bromley Healthcare has launched a specialist nurse-led service to increase support for children and young people with bladder and bowel conditions aged 5 to 18 in Bromley.
The Bromley Children and Young People’s Bladder and Bowel service is led by Clinical Nurse Specialists. This service builds on and replaces the Children’s enuresis and continence containment services in Bromley. It has been developed to ensure that children and young people over the age of five years with bladder and bowel issues, including those with additional needs, receive regular health assessments and support for toilet training skill development.
Children and young people should have access to regular bladder and bowel health assessments and support for toilet training skill development to promote dignity and independence, and to ensure there is no discrimination in service provision. Research from the Paediatric Continence Forum (2019) estimates that around 900,000 children in the UK have a bladder and/or bowel problem, although this is likely to be under-reported due to stigma or embarrassment around the conditions. For children and young people with additional needs, a proportionally higher number present with continence problems such as constipation, night-time wetting, or delayed toilet training (PCF 2019).
Cait Lewis, Head of Specialist Children’s Community Nursing at Bromley Healthcare said:
“We are really pleased to be launching this improved service to give children and young people with bladder and bowel issues a more detailed assessment and personalised care plan. This will help our children and young people in Bromley to live well, promote independence and dignity, and help to prevent further bladder and bowel problems.”
Dr Bhumika Mittal, Bromley GP and Clinical Lead for children and young people in Bromley said:
“Many children suffer with bladder and bowel issues, and we appreciate this is worrying for parents and carers who may think it is a behavioural problem. Bladder and bowel issues in young people are common and there is help available. It is important to seek help if your child is still having problems by the time they reach five years old. This new service is completely focused on the needs of each individual child and designed to support them and their families to manage and improve their bladder and/or bowel issue.”
This service is for children and young people aged 5 to 18 who are registered with a Bromley GP. Referrals to the service are available via your doctor (GP) or paediatrician.
If you have any concerns about your child in terms of bladder and bowel issues, including those under five years old, it is important to speak to your GP.
Find out more:
- Children and Young People’s Bladder and Bowel Service – Bromley Healthcare
- Bladder and Bowel UK resources for children: Resources for bladder and bowel problems in children (bbuk.org.uk)
- Your child’s assessment – what to expect: Resources for bladder and bowel problems in children (bbuk.org.uk) | what to expect
- National guidance and information about who is entitled to nappies and pads: Resources for bladder and bowel problems in children (bbuk.org.uk) | nappies and pads