It’s World Continence Week from 20 to 26 June – the ideal time to discuss a sensitive topic that can be uncomfortable for many.
Continence is being able to control our own ability to pass urine and faeces. For multiple reasons, not everybody can do so, which sometimes can lead to embarrassment.
Fortunately, Bass Coast Health has a continence service that is able to help people battling with incontinence.
Our continence service is staffed by three enthusiastic and specialist trained Continence Nurse Consultants, including a Nurse Practitioner, Dianne Jones. She is joined by Ebony Scott and Joanne Sawyers, who are completing their graduate certificate in continence and urology through Latrobe University.
“Our clientele includes men and women of all ages, and children with bedwetting or constipation issues,” Dianne said.
“We have many clients with urinary catheter devices or a history of urological problems. As many of these concerns are highly sensitive, often clients want to tell their story to the nurse and want to be ‘heard’. The nurse is able to validate your concerns and provide advice on how to improve and manage.
“We provide services at the Phillip Island Health Hub, from Allied Health at Wonthaggi Hospital and home visits where needed.”
The service is staffed the majority of Monday to Friday (site specific).
In May, BCH supported the three Continence Nurse Consultants to attend the National Conference on Incontinence in Melbourne, hosted by the Continence Foundation of Australia.
“The conference was a great opportunity to learn more about how to best help our clients who suffer with bladder and bowel issues, and network with like-minded health professionals including urologists, gynaecologists, physiotherapists and of course continence nurses,” Dianne said.
“Topics included nocturia (waking at night to pass urine) and the global issue women are having following the use of mesh for stress urinary incontinence and therefore what alternatives are available.
“The conference was a chance to meet with the trade to hear about new and innovative products to help clients with incontinence, maintain their confidence in society and to prevent isolation due to the embarrassment of bladder or bowel incontinence.”
If you would like to speak with a Continence Nurse Consultant, contact our Access team on 5671 3175 or Allied Health reception on 5671 3353.
If a Continence Nurse Consultant is available at the time of your call, you may be put through, otherwise a message can be left with our staff to pass on to the nurse to get back to you.