Continence Nurse Consultants

Gippsland Southern Health Service has specialist Registered Nurse’s and a Nurse Practitioner who are trained to help people with problems with bladder and bowel health.  This nurse is referred to as a continence nurse consultant.

 

The role of Continence Consultant is to assist all people who experience symptoms of the urinary system and bowel function.  They provide support to the individual and carers.

 

Common urinary tract symptoms include; urgency, frequency, poor flow, inability to empty, urinary tract infections, split urinary stream, incontinence of urine (stress incontinence, urgency incontinence, functional incontinence or a mixed symptom of incontinence), nocturia and bedwetting. 

 

Common symptoms of bowel problems include; constipation, diarrhoea, urgency, and incontinence or soiling.

 

Most incontinence problems can be treated, improved or managed. 

 

What is incontinence?

Incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine from the bladder or contents from the bowel.

1—20 Australians suffer incontinence.  Bed wetting is common in children and teenagers causing stress and embarrassment.  

 

Services provided include:-

• Comprehensive assessment of the urinary system, diagnosis and referral;

• Information and Guidance;

• Management and Advice;

• Practical Support, continence aids advice, lifestyle adjustments;

• Education to the individual, caregivers, health professionals and the community.

• Pelvic floor muscle education

  •     Pre/post Radical Prostatectomy

  •     Pre/post Natal.

 

What is involved with an incontinence assessment?

The nurse will take a comprehensive health assessment, which may also involve a voiding diary or a bowel chart, a bladder scan (portable ultrasound), and a urine assessment to help with diagnosing the problem.  Treatments may involve conservative or behaviour therapy, education regarding pelvic floor exercises or bladder retraining and fluid / fibre advice. Or our Nurse Practitioner may be able to order further investigations of the urinary system, initiate therapies (behavioural or pharmaceutical) and refer directly to specialist in collaboration with your General practitioner. 

 

Who can see the Continence Consultant?

The continence consultant is trained to see all men, women and children.

 

Where can the Continence Consultant be contacted?

The continence service is staffed Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Referrals are accepted from self, family, GP or health professionals.

All new referrals are directed to our Gateway team who will make your appointment.  Please call Gateway on 5654 2737 or fax your referral to 5654 2707.

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Continence Clinics are conducted at:

 

Gippsland Southern Health Service

    Korumburra Campus

    Tuesdays and Thursdays weekly

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South Gippsland Hospital, Foster

    First Thursday of each Month

 

Tarwin Lower Community Centre

    By appointment (third Thursday of each month pending referrals)

 

Home visits can be arranged by appointment.

 

Further resources

Continence Foundation of Australia - 1800 33 00 66

www.prostatehealth.org.au

www.bedwettinginstitute.com.au

www.bladderbowel.gov.au