Continence problems are common amongst children and young people. It is estimated that around 900,000 pre-school and school age children across the UK experience problems with bed-wetting, day-wetting, constipation or soiling.
In a lot of cases the problem can be resolved over time, but it can be frustrating and upsetting for the child, leading to social isolation and/or poor self-esteem.
In 2019, members of the North Tyneside Parent Carer Forum highlighted a gap in services providing care for children and young people with complex contience needs. Listening carefully to the feedback and working closely with the forum, NHS North Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has commissioned a new service designed designed to meet the needs of children and young people across the borough.
The new Paediatric Continence Specialist Nursing Service will launch in early 2020, and will be delivered by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The service consists of one specialist nurse and one nursery nurse who will provide continence assessments and care for children and young people with more complex continence needs.
Designed for children living in North Tyneside aged between 0 and 19 years old, the service will offer advice and education on subjects such as constipation and toilet training to parents and carers, as well as offering support and education to nursing colleagues.