Heartbeat: Continence support group thriving after 14 years
November 15, 2018
Our community continence team is a small, hardworking team of specialist nurses who provide professional advice, support and education to patients in Sandwell about promoting continence (controlling the bladder and bowels) and managing incontinence.
The team works in partnership with other health and social care professionals across the borough to provide care that is as sensitive as possible.
In 2004, the team thought that their patients may benefit from coming together to discuss their continence issues, with people who are going through the same thing as them – and the community continence support group was born.
The group meets four times a year at Greets Green Community Centre, and Heartbeat was invited to attend the September meeting.
Julie Hopkins-Budd, Clinical Nurse Specialist, was one of the team who was involved when the group was set-up 14 years ago.
She explained more about the purpose of the group to Heartbeat: “The group originated in 2004, when we brought a group of our patients together to discuss how they manage their continence problems.
“On average we have around 12 participants that attend, a couple who have been coming since we first started.”
The group provides a safe environment for patients to talk to the continence team and each other about any particular issues they may be facing. Patients have also been involved in tendering containment products for the service, trying samples and giving their feedback. They have also had input into the patient information leaflets which are used by the service.
Julie said: “Having the group’s input on things such as new products or rewording our leaflets is invaluable. They are living with continence issues day in day out, so there is no one better to advise us.”
In addition to talking amongst themselves and with the continence team, the support group also welcomes guest speakers from other departments within the Trust or external agencies such as, foot health, physiotherapy and Agewell.
At the September meeting, West Midlands Fire Service attended to talk to the patients about their safe and well service.
“The talk from the fire service was brilliant,” said Julie.
“They discussed all aspects of home safety and a number of our patients booked a free home assessment with them.
“We have a different external speaker each time we meet and the group decide between them who they would like it invite.”
The group has gone from strength to strength since its launch, but now the community continence team are encouraging colleagues to refer any patients that they feel may benefit from attending.
The next meeting takes place on 5 December, 10.30am at Greets Green Community Centre, Wood Lane, West Bromwich.
For more information please e-mail Julie on julie.hopkins-budd@nhs.net