Bladder, bowel and pelvic health services
The bladder, bowel and pelvic health team is a physiotherapy and nurse-led team working across University Hospital Lewisham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Lewisham community services.
We see anyone over the age of 18 who wishes to receive specialist support and or advice with bladder, bowel and pelvic health problems.
Our service assesses and treats 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 care and complex 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
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?
If you have a Lewisham GP, you can refer yourself to the service by emailing lg.bbphealth@nhs.net or by calling 020 3049 3446.
If you do not have a Lewisgam GP and you are registered with a GP outside of the borough of Lewisham, referrals can be made to physiotherapy services at QEH or UHL through the normal outpatient route; GP, consultant, midwife, etc.
Resources
The organisations listted below have lots of useful information about managing your bladder, bowel and pelvic health.
They have information about pelvic floor exercises, how to manage pelvic pain, catheter use as well as tips on managing your bladder and bowel health alongside other health conditions such as dementia, neurological conditions, pregnancy or menopause.