Help is out there for continence sufferers

Urology specialists from Health & Social Care are holding pop-up events for World Continence Week.

Yesterday at Beau Sejour the message from the team was that men and women of all ages and lifestyles could suffer from continence issues and that they should not be afraid to seek help.

‘Anybody can be affected because we all have a bladder and we all have a bowel, the key is to know that there is help out there and to come and ask for it,’ said consultant urology nurse Patricia McDermott.

The island’s urology team have found national recognition in recent years, winning three Nursing Times awards in 2019 and being awarded continence nursing team of the year in 2021 by the British Journal of Nursing.

Continence Week forms part of the campaign to raise awareness around continence-related issues.

This year the campaign focuses on the impacts that incontinence can have on a person’s life, forcing them to organise their day around available facilities.

Almost everything from travel and sport to simply watching a film can become a difficult task for those with continence issues.

The team wanted to emphasise that most conditions were treatable, always beginning with conservative lifestyle changes, with surgical procedures rarely required.

‘The sooner you contact us the sooner you could be back living your life independently,’ said Steve Mundy, urology nurse specialist.

While the risk of continence issues does increase with age, it should not be considered simply a natural part of ageing, or a problem exclusive to older people.

The importance of the maintenance and upkeep of the islands’ public toilets was also brought up by the team as an area where further action could be required.

Drop-ins are taking place today between 3pm and 5pm and tomorrow between noon and 2pm.

The location will be confirmed on the States of Guernsey social media in the morning, depending on the weather.