‘YOO-HOO, I’M IN THE LOO THE NOO!’
what’s new ON THE TOILETING FRONT IN SCOTLAND?
FEW THINGS ARE QUITE AS IMPORTANT TO CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS THAN FEELING CONFIDENT ABOUT HOW THEIR BLADDERS AND BOWELS FUNCTION AND BEHAVE!
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hilst bladder and bowel problems are unfortunately incredibly common amongst the general population in childhood, with up to 30% of children experiencing constipation, 4% experiencing soiling and up to 10% of children with daytime wetting, these difficulties are even more common amongst children with disabilities, hidden or visible. Continence problems can frequently result from chronic constipation and overactive bladder, often made worse by urinary tract infection; however, they are often avoidable if the underlying problems are treated properly- the earlier the
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better! Sadly, it’s not unusual for children with a disability to remain dependant on containment products, as they are sometimes assumed not to be able to master the skills necessary to become clean and dry. But most can - with the right support! Denying children with continence problems and disability the right to a good continence assessment, the best treatment, and proper support towards toilet training, is just another form of discrimination. A new, voluntary network of nurses and doctors who work with childhood bladder and bowel problems and continence issues, was formed last year in Scotland - ‘Paediatric
Continence Scotland’ (PCS). PCS has members from all 14 of Scotland’s Health Boards, from the Shetland Islands in the north, all the way down to the Borders. They aim to improve services for these children across the country, provide training and education for professionals and families, and to support each other in their clinical practice. Paediatric Continence Scotland is also working on building up
