Continence Service

We provide care for patients who experience bladder and bowel continence problems of all types and degrees.

Key points

Assessment, treatment, and management of people experiencing bladder and bowel problems
We offer clinic and telehealth appointments, as well as home visits
Multidisciplinary treatment by specialists in this field

Patients need a referral from their GP or healthcare provider. Access referral information

What we do

Our Continence Service provides comprehensive assessment, diagnosis and management support for patients so they can manage continence independently and improve their quality of life.

We assist in the treatment and management of a range of continence problems, including but not limited to:

Urinary incontinence
Recurrent urinary tract infections
Difficulty passing urine
Frequency of urination
Nocturia
Constipation
Chronic diarrhoea
Faecal incontinence
Incontinence-associated dermatitis

Our services

We provide the following services:

Comprehensive assessment including diagnosis of underlying issues and various medical investigations (such as uroflowmetry, bladder ultrasonography or fluoroscopic urodynamic investigation)
Conservative management strategies such as bladder retraining, pelvic muscle rehabilitation (including biofeedback and electrical stimulation), bowel management, toileting programs, advice on use of continence aids and appliances and catheterisation techniques
Advice on daily living with continence problems
Applications for financial assistance for provision of continence aids
Referral for surgery, if appropriate
Liaising with other service providers, where needed

Our team

Our team comprises specialists in continence and aged care from different backgrounds. The team includes:

Continence physicians
Continence nurse advisors
Specialist physiotherapists

What to expect at your first appointment

At your first appointment, we will:

Complete a detailed assessment of your medical history, medications, presenting symptoms
Discuss your goals
Complete a urine test, bladder scan and examination

We have strong links with the Urology and Aged Care services, as well as the Young Adults Transition Service (YATS).

Who can use our service

This service is appropriate for anyone over 18 years of age who is experiencing bladder or bowel problems including urinary and faecal incontinence.

We generally see people who live in the local city council areas of Melbourne, Moreland and Hume but may accept referrals from other areas after discussion.

For patients

For health professionals

Appointments

For all new appointments, contact the Direct Access Unit on (03) 8387 2333

To cancel or reschedule a booked appointment, contact the Clinical Centre on (03) 8387 2194

What to bring

Every time you come

Every time you come in for a test, day procedure, surgery or treatment, you should bring:

Medicare card
Health Care card (if you have one)
Concession card (if you have one)
Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
Medications you are currently taking, including any that you have bought without a prescription
X-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results you have which are related to your procedure
Private health insurance card (if you want to use it)
Aids (glasses, hearing aid, walking frame)