A new physiotherapy self-referral service for women with a common health programme is being piloted at the Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Patients suffering from urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse across the district can now access the physiotherapy department direct rather than having to go through their GPs.

“Woman with this condition have a lot to gain by coming forward for help,” said senior physiotherapist, Dianne Naylor. “Pelvic floor training does work and is being offered as a first-line management for women with stress, urge or mixed urinary incontinence and mild vaginal prolapse.

“The beauty about self-referral means that it not only saves the patient time because they are immediately accessing the correct service which can effectively manage their condition but also removes the delay between deciding to seek advice and their referral being received at the hospital.”

The hospital is the only one in the north of England to take part in the year-long national pilot which began in March 2011 and which involves five health trusts from across the country.

Self-referrals will continue to be taken until the end of February 2012 when the pilot will then close for evaluation to begin.

NICE guidelines insist that pelvic floor muscle training is offered to women as a first line treatment for urinary incontinence. It is also used as a preventive strategy for urinary incontinence in pregnancy.

“I would urge women needing help to come forward as soon as possible because the treatment can help facilitate a return to normal life as soon as possible,” added Dianne.


Do you know that one in three women have urinary incontinence?

This problem has a major impact on quality of life:
•    50% of women reporting incontinence were moderately or greatly bothered by it
•    27% were unwilling to go to places where they were unsure about the availability of toilets
•    31% dressed differently because of the problem
•    23% said it affected their sex life 
•    23% said it reduced their activity levels
•    25% described feelings of frustration and/or embarrassment

It is treatable. Don’t just put up with it.