Making continence care better for everyone
Read our continence care report
Our work focussed on hearing more from people as to why continence isn't talked about enough, the barriers faced and experiences people have when it comes to seeking support and treatment, despite it being a condition affecting 14 million of us nationally (as reported by NHS England).
The public feedback, as well as our evidence, all point to a need to listen better to patients and ensure services are consistent nationally to give people the confidence to not be afraid to talk about wee and poo and to seek support and treatment.
We found that not only do we need to talk more about continence, but that In our latest report, we found that it can have a profound impact on health and independence.
What the public told us about continence care
- Incontinence affects people of all ages and genders, contrary to the myth that it only happens to old people.
- There is a cultural taboo around discussing the topic seriously, likely stemming from a tendency to joke about it, write it off as a problem of older individuals, or perceived embarrassment.
- The level of service provided for incontinence varies across the country, with some individuals only having positive experiences due to a passionate healthcare professional, and not because of a dedicated and sympathetic service.
- Many people face difficulties accessing appropriate continence products and find the quality and cost of available options concerning.
- Public facilities often lack suitable toilets and bins for all genders.
- The impact of incontinence on mental health is overlooked. Empathy in treatment and consideration for disabilities are not always prioritised in continence care services.
What difference will this make?
We are asking that GP practices, continence services, North Yorkshire Council and social care providers do more - collectively and individually.
Your feedback has helped Healthwatch get in front of decision makers and those involved in helping to improve continence services, who have been listening and acting on people’s feedback.
The impact of your feedback
- Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership confirmed that the report’s findings and recommendations will feed into a review of the bowel and bladder pathways for children and adults in North Yorkshire.
- Our report was considered at the North Yorkshire Place Quality Group including the findings and the implementation of the report’s recommendations. There was an acknowledgement that the report was very helpful and has already helped to build a picture for further improvements.
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York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have introduced a tool for continence screening within 72 hours of a patient being admitted to hospital. It quickly determines the person's continence related needs.
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Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust have updated their website to contain information on how people can access continence services including self-referral. They also provide health promotion leaflets which people can access (including a contact phone number and the names of key staff involved in the specialist continence service).
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North Yorkshire Council will review the option for including continence poverty into their work for improving public health.
- One of the organisations involved in the project (Tadcaster Volunteer Community Support Association) attended a meeting with colleagues about healthy ageing. They mentioned the continence project and the information was well received.
- North Yorkshire Council are going away to read the report and look to possibly incorporating continence poverty into their work for improving public health and prevention.
- The report gained notable coverage in the media, appearing on BBC Look North, BBC News, BBC Radio York and That's TV. This helped us to reach more people and raise awareness about the need to talk about continence more as well as the need for better support.
