Women across Bath, Wiltshire and Somerset are set to receive faster diagnosis and treatment for urinary incontinence following the arrival of a new £33,000 Urodynamics machine.
The equipment has been funded by hospital charity RUHX and its supporters, including the Bath Women’s Fund, and will be used by the urogynaecology team at the Royal United Hospitals Bath.
Urinary incontinence affects around one in four women in the UK and often develops following childbirth or as women get older. Although it can have a significant impact on everyday life, many women delay seeking medical help because of embarrassment or because they believe the condition is an inevitable part of ageing.
Patient Jen described urinary incontinence as ‘life-limiting’ rather than life-threatening.
“It becomes normalised and you learn to cope,” she said. “It doesn’t directly limit your lifespan, but it limits the quality of your life. By limiting your quality of life, it can have an effect on other possible health issues like your general fitness, emotional stability and mental health.
“I would definitely encourage others experiencing urinary problems to seek medical help sooner rather than later. Help is out there and I have always found the medical and physio staff to be very respectful and helpful.”
The new machine will help reduce waiting times and the number of appointments patients need to attend, while allowing women to receive an accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment plan sooner.
The Bath urogynaecology service receives approximately 415 referrals from primary care each year for women experiencing pelvic floor disorders.
Urodynamic testing is used to diagnose different types of urinary leakage, including stress urinary incontinence and stress-predominant mixed urinary incontinence, which together account for more than 65% of cases.
Mel De Jaeger, Uro-Gynaecology Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Gynaecology, said, “A very heartfelt thank you to you all for such an incredible achievement. Our ladies of Bath, Wiltshire and Somerset will benefit enormously and it will shave so much time off their patient pathways.”
Mrs Aysha Qureshi, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, said having the equipment within the department would significantly improve the service offered to women.
“Having the Urodynamics system within the heart of our urogynaecology team will make a step-change improvement in the way we can offer this service and will significantly reduce waiting lists,” she said.
“It will allow us to provide the whole patient pathway within our female-centric department and offer prompt continuity of care, which is so important in the assessment and diagnosis of this deeply personal condition.”
Urinary incontinence can be treated successfully in around 80% of cases, with options including pelvic floor therapy, medication, surgery and outpatient procedures under local anaesthetic.
Rhyannon Boyd, Associate Director of RUHX, said, “RUHX was delighted to support the funding of this new Urodynamics machine because we know the difference it will make for women across our community, helping them access faster diagnoses, treatment and support when they need it most.
“On behalf of everyone at RUHX, I would like to thank our incredible supporters, whose generosity has made this possible and will improve the lives of hundreds of women for years to come.”
