Canberra Health Services offers various continence services to provide support for pelvic floor, bladder and bowel control issues.
About this service
Our community care nurses, and pelvic health physiotherapists provide assessment and advice for:
- continence promotion strategies
- bladder and bowel control and incontinence
- bladder and bowel prolapse
- pelvic floor management
- pre or post gynaecological surgery concerns
- continence aids and appliances.
Pelvic Floor Workshops
Our physiotherapy team offers free workshops that provide information, education and self-help strategies for women who experience continence problems or wish to prevent them.
The workshops cover various topics, including bladder and bowel control, prolapse and pre or post gynaecological surgery concerns.
Prostatectomy one-on-one education sessions
We provide one-on-one education and support sessions for men who have had or who require a prostatectomy. Partners are welcome to attend. These sessions offer information on:
- post-surgery expectations
- continence strategies
- sexual issues
- pelvic floor exercises
- bowel management
- support networks
Who we care for
Our nursing services are available to adults over the age of 18 who live in the ACT.
We provide pelvic health physiotherapy services to children over 4 years of age and adults.
How to access this service
You can self-refer to these services by calling Central Health Intake on (02) 5124 9977.
Your GP or other and health professional can also refer you.
What to expect
We will triage your referral and send you a letter to confirm your appointment time. We will also contact you via phone to confirm your appointment.
Our services include continence promotion, education on how to minimise continence symptoms and a wholistic assessment of your health in relation to continence symptoms. We may need you to complete some urine tests and work with you to gain a history of your symptoms.
Fees will apply if you are eligible for funding under the NDIS, compensation or you are a foreign national. If a fee applies you will be made aware at the time of admission.
What to bring to your appointment
- Medicare card
- Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
- Any letters or correspondence from your general practitioner
- List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins
- Any relevant medical or surgical history
Where we’re located
Pelvic health and continence physiotherapy
- Belconnen Community Health Centre - Booked appointments available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
- Canberra Hospital (Mesh Clinic) - Referral required. Booked appointments available on Wednesdays.
Continence nursing
Booked appointments available at:
- Belconnen Community Health Centre
- Gungahlin Community Health Centre
- Phillip Community Health Centre
- Tuggeranong Community Health Centre
If the community nurse decides that you need to be visited in your home for medical reasons, this will be arranged with you. If this occurs, a morning or afternoon visit can be offered, however arrival times cannot be guaranteed.
Resources
Continence Foundation Service directory provides a list of private service providers who can also provide continence support.
Additional Information
Continence Foundation of Australia
National Continence Helpline call 1800 330 066
Information for referrers
Please see Community HealthPathways for detailed referral criteria and information.
Referral options:
- Phone: (02) 5124 9977
- Fax: (02) 5124 1082
- SmartForm