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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

Continence nursing

Booked appointments available at:

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 Program

National Continence Helpline call 1800 330 066

Information for referrers

Please see Community HealthPathways for detailed referral criteria and information.

Referral options:

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In the case of a life threatening emergency, dial Triple Zero (000).

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Contact us

Switchboard Canberra Hospital
(02) 5124 0000

International callers
+61 (2) 5124 0000

Switchboard North Canberra Hospital
(02) 6201 6111

International callers
+61 (2) 6201 6111

Switchboard other hospitals and services
(02) 5124 0000

International callers
+61 (2) 5124 0000

The switchboard handles all calls to, from and within the hospital 24 hours/seven days a week