Bladder, bowel and pelvic health services

Patient and Nurse

The bladder, bowel and pelvic health service will see referrals of men and women over the age of 18 who wish to receive specialist support and or advice with bladder, bowel and pelvic health problems.

Although rarely life-threatening, these health problems can seriously negatively impact on the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of affected individuals.


Which services are provided?

We provide an assessment and treatment service for a wide range of bladder, bowel and pelvic health issues such as:

  • Urinary incontinence
  • Bowel incontinence
  • Overactive bladder
  • Post-natal perineal trauma
  • Post natal bladder trauma
  • Urinary retention
  • Constipation
  • Pelvic organ prolapse
  • Catheter issues
  • Persistent pelvic pain
  • Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain
  • Rectus diastasis (tummy gap)
  • Post-prostatectomy issues such as erectile dysfunction.
     

Treatments offered include:

  • Advice and education
  • Pelvic floor rehabilitation
  • Exercises
  • Bladder and bowel retraining
  • Catheterisation and teaching self-catheterisation
  • Trial without catheter
     

The service also offers:

  • Specialist advice and support to care homes and wards, as well as other outpatient services
  • Advice and prescription of containment products where appropriate
  • Advice on pelvic health related products
  • Training for staff in pelvic health issues
  • Support with complex cases

 

Containment products (also known as continence pads):

Please note that the team follows NHS guidelines with regards to the prescription of containment products.

We will offer all suitable advice and treatment options to the patients that are referred to our team. Containment products will only be prescribed when no other options are available.

 

Where are clinics provided?

University Hospital Lewisham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, Downham Health Centre and Waldron Health Centre.

 

How can you contact the service?

Patients with a Lewisham GP can refer themselves to the service by emailing: lg.bbphealth@nhs.net or by calling 020 3049 3446.

Patients who do not have a Lewisham GP, can ask their GP to refer them to the BBPH team via: LG.physiotherapydirectreferrals@nhs.net.