Health and Bladder and Bowel symptoms (in both men and women)

About Our Services

The team sees women with a broad range of conditions including back pain, pelvic girdle pain and other problems experienced during pregnancy, and post-natally; bladder and bowel problems, including constipation; incontinence; prolapse; pelvic and vulval pain.

We also participate in parent education sessions with the midwives, for advice on such things as back pain in pregnancy and coping strategies for labour.

The team offers a loan service for TENS machines to use in labour. Also, throughout Bradford there are health visitor-led post-natal groups to which we intermittently contribute.

In addition, we see women who have undergone gynaecological surgery (e.g. a hysterectomy) before they are discharged from hospital.

Men's Health

The team also sees men with bladder and bowel problems including incontinence, pain and constipation

Referrals

All outpatients are referred by a doctor, who may be their GP or a specialist. In-patients will be seen at the request of the ward staff, and the parent education sessions are arranged by the maternity department.

Where We Provide Services

Outpatients are usually seen at BRI or St Luke's, though there are out-reach clinics at Idle Medical Centre and Westwood Park DTCM to which some patients are invited.

In-patients are all in BRI - mainly in Ward 12 and 14 (gynaecology) and M2, M3 and M4 (Women's and New Born Unit).

The parent educations run in various locations including BRI, St Luke's, Windhill Green, Royds Healthy Living Centre, and Farcliffe Family Centre.

Available Treatments

Treatments are varied, dependent on the problem. People or patients with bladder, bowel or other pelvic problems attending parent education sessions, or being seeing in an advice group after gynaecological surgery are given advice, may undertake exercises, and are encouraged to ask questions.

Outpatients are assessed thoroughly, and a course of treatment is agreed with them. This will include advice, and possibly exercises and "hands on" treatment. Women with bladder or other pelvic floor problems are often given the opportunity to see how well their muscles are working by means of biofeedback equipment.

Appointment Times

Outpatient appointments are available Monday to Friday, between 8.30am and 4.30pm though 8am or after 4.30pm may be available on request. Inpatient services are also Monday to Friday.

Parent education sessions are mainly held in the evening (Monday to Thursday) though there are some daytime classes, including occasional Saturday groups.

Waiting Times

4-6 weeks for patients with bladder and bowel problems. In-patients are normally seen on the day of referral, or within one working day. Waiting times for outpatient appointments are usually under two weeks (from receipt of the referral) for pregnant and post-natal women, and less than a month for all others.

For more information on all the services please ring 01274 364121 or email: gill.brook@bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk

Other Information

Patient information literature is given out when appropriate. This includes a range of leaflets on pregnancy, birth and the post-natal period, and numerous publications from appropriate national organisations. You can view some of these leaflets by visiting the website of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women's Health (ACPWH) at www.acpwh.org.uk and clicking the link to 'leaflets'.

For those suffering with bladder and bowel symptoms the bladder and bowel foundation are an excellent resource for advice and information including downloadable leaflets. Bladderandbowelfoundation.org.uk