Service overview
We offer support if you feel that you go to the toilet too often, or that your bladder or bowels habits are limiting your lifestyle.
It could be that you’re recovering from surgery, pregnancy (post-natal care), or you’re living with a health condition which makes it difficult to know when you need to use the toilet.
Our pelvic health physiotherapists and continence nurse specialists can talk to you about the treatments for conditions such as:
- bladder and bowel incontinence
- pelvic floor muscle weakness or tightness
- pelvic organ prolapse
- pelvic pain
- constipation/incomplete emptying
- urinary frequency and urgency, including overactive bladder syndrome
- interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome
- vaginal pain including vaginismus and vulvodynia
- perineal and episiotomy scar issues
- post-prostatectomy advice and support
- neurogenic bladder
- teaching of Intermittent Self-catheterisation
- advice for long-term continence issues including Neobladder and Mitrofanoff
You can still receive help from us even if you don’t have trouble controlling when you urinate or emptying your bowels.
Please contact our Continence Service for children and young people if you’re under 18, or looking for advice for a child or young person.
Changes to our prescription service
Our prescription service is changing on 23 February 2026. More details are published on this page.
Accessing our service
Clinic referrals
Talk to your GP about any continence issues you may have, and they may refer you to our service.
Once you’ve been referred and you’re next on the waiting list, we’ll send some forms in the post for you to complete.
We’ll ask you to call or email to book your appointment.
We offer various clinics across Berkshire, and on occasions we may be able to assess you on a call.
We may offer our online class which covers treatment techniques to help you while you wait for your first appointment.
You can see examples of our Bladder and Bowel diaries which we will use in appointments to track your situation.
Bowel Diary
File size: 171KB
Bladder And Bowel Diary
File size: 176KB
Bladder And Bowel (Continence) Service Referral Form
File size: 295KB
Home delivery service
You can contact our team if you are on our home delivery service, and you already have a supply of containment products (pads) and have a query or concern.
We're available from 9am to 2pm, Monday to Friday.
Call 0118 904 6530
Email continence@berkshire.nhs.uk
Call 0800 030 4466 to reorder products (you will need the PIN code on your delivery note).
Continence NHS Home Delivery
File size: 41KB
Home Delivery Service For Incontinence Pads
File size: 197KB
Prescription service
The Berkshire prescription service is changing.
From 23 February 2026, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) and Frimley ICB will introduce a new way for patients to receive stoma, bowel irrigation, and catheter prescriptions.
This change affects all patients receiving catheter and trans-anal irrigation products, as well as carers and healthcare professionals who support them.
You can contact our team if you need help with catheter products and use our prescription service.
The current prescription service will automatically register all existing patients with the new service.
From late February 2026, a personal advisor from Bullen Healthcare will contact each patient with a welcome call explaining how the new service works.
From 23 February 2026, all new prescriptions for catheter and catheter-related products must be requested via Bullen Healthcare.
There will be no service available on the 18th February 2026, and a reduced service on 19th and 20th February. Double orders will be provided from the 5th Jan until the transition is complete.
Urinary Catheter Passport
File size: 3.2MB
Prescription details to use before 23 February 2026
Our prescription team are available from 9am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday
To place an order, you will need your full name, NHS number, date of birth, address and products required.
You can also contact us if you have lost or have not been given a catheter passport.
This can be completed when you next see your health care professional in clinic for a catheter change or by the district nurse if they attend your home.
Prescription details to use after 23 February 2026
For all new and current catheter prescriptions from 23 February 2026, contact Bullen.
Use the leaflets here and the referral forms for more infomation.
Trans Anal Irrigation Referral Form (BOB)
Urology Referral Form (BOB)
File size: 181KB
Patient Leaflet for Appliance Management Service (BOB)
File size: 944KB
HCP Leaflet for Appliance Management Service (BOB)
File size: 960KB
Preparing for an assessment
Your first appointment will be a chance for us to discuss how your bladder and bowel difficulties are affecting your life. You can ask our team any questions that you have about bladder and bowel health and toilet habits.
We’ll ask you about your medical history, so please remember to bring along any bladder or bowel charts that you have been provided and asked to complete.
We’ll also talk to you about a physical examination. We understand that you might not want to be checked, so we will need your consent first before we do anything.
You also have the right to stop the examination at any point.
Our bladder scan will help us check that your pelvic muscles allow you to empty your bladder correctly. We can also check for areas of pain or sensitivity, and scar tissue or pelvic prolapse.
We'll also talk to you about internal examination if we feel this would help.
You can bring a family member or friend with you if you need support.
Another member of our team can also be present if you wish to have a chaperone.
You can contact us between 10am to 2pm, Tuesday to Thursday.
Call 0118 904 6540
What to expect during a bladder scan
Treatments we may offer
Depending on what we find during your assessment, we’ll talk about the different treatments that we think could help, such as:
- pelvic floor muscle strengthening
- bladder re-training
- bowel re-training (defaecation dynamics)
- fluid, dietary and lifestyle advice
- advice on core strengthening/functional exercise programmes to help return to your normal level of physical activity
- relaxation and mindfulness techniques for bladder and bowel urgency and pelvic pain
- assessment/consideration of trans-anal irrigation
- assessment/consideration of Intermittent Self-Catheterisation (ISC)
- assessment/consideration of penile urinary sheath application
- provision of continence aids/products
Managing your health
Self help guides
We’ve created easy‑to‑follow guides to help you improve bladder control and discover simple exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor.
You can also view and download a bowel diary or a bladder and bowel diary to keep track of your progress and better understand your health.
Easy read guides
View our easy read guides to learn more about constipation and discover the types of food that can help ease it.
You can also track your progress by downloading a bowel movement diary and a fluid chart, making it simple to see how small changes can make a big difference.
Your e-Health Passport
Your e-Health Passport lets us know what's important to you - from your preferred name and pronouns to how you'd like us to support you and communicate with you.
Learn moreContact us and FAQs
Bladder and Bowel (Continence)
Contact number: 0118 904 6540 Available Tue-Thurs 10am to 2pm
Email: continence@berkshire.nhs.uk We aim to respond to emails within 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
Can I attend if I have my period?
Yes, we can still complete the discussion part of your assessment. We may still be able to do the internal and checks, but you can decide not to if you wish.
Can I still get help if I am house bound?
We suggest contacting your GP, so that they can refer you to the community nursing team to complete your continence assessment.
I was told that I will get free pull ups on the NHS- why can’t you do that?
We have limited provision, and we offer the best product based on clinical need.
Why do I have to use a 2-piece system?
2-piece enables products to be changed and removed without the need to remove trousers. It promotes continence.
Why do I need to wait for my appointment?
Like many NHS services we have a waiting list for appropriate assessment and treatment.
I've been asked to do a bladder diary. Why is this needed?
This is needed as part of your holistic assessment to better assess and treat your symptoms.
We can also help you with
Is there any information for friends, family and carers?
If you’re a family member/carer or you look after someone, there’s practical, financial, and emotional support available to you from a range of local communities and national organisations.
How do I request an interpreter?
We can provide language translation and interpretation support whenever you visit or contact us.
Tell our staff which language you prefer to use, and we will make sure the right communication support is in place for your assessment and treatment. Please let us know as early as possible so we can ensure the appropriate translation or interpreting support is available.
We offer a range of professional services to ensure everyone can understand and be understood:
- telephone interpreting
- video remote interpreting (VRI)
- face‑to‑face interpreting
- written translation
- British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting
How can I get information in an accessible format?
Anyone with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss has the right to receive information in a format that meets their needs. Under the Accessible Information Standard (AIS)—a legal requirement for all health and adult social care providers—we must ensure that people who use our services, including carers and families, can understand the information we provide and communicate effectively with us.
We can offer information in a range of accessible formats, including:
- British Sign Language (BSL)
- large print
- braille
- audio
- easy Read
- text message
- face‑to‑face support with a carer or advocate present
If you need information in any of these formats, please tell a member of our team and we will make sure your communication needs are met.
Are service dogs allowed to my appointment?
Yes. You are welcome to bring your registered service animal, such as a guide dog, hearing dog, medical alert dog, or other trained assistance dog to your appointment.
These animals are recognised as essential support and are permitted in most areas of our services.
To help us prepare, please let the team know before your appointment if you will be attending with a service animal. This allows us to make sure the environment is safe and comfortable for you, your animal, and other patients.
Please note that service animals may not be able to enter certain restricted clinical areas for safety or infection‑control reasons, but we will always work with you to find an appropriate alternative.
Treating our team with respect.
Respect is important.
We will be polite and kind and we expect that you treat our staff in the same way.
Abuse, hate and discrimination against our staff is unacceptable.
We will take strong action against anyone who is verbally, racially, physically, or sexually abusive to them.
This includes contacting the police to prosecute, and stopping future access to our healthcare services.
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Frimley Health and Care
Frimley Health and Care have support resources for maternity and child health. Visit their website for more videos and guides on strengthening your pelvic floor if you've had a baby in the last 12 months.