What's new on the toileting front in Scotland?

‘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!

Whilst 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 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

its website to include additional resources for both parents and professionals, including information from dieticians, occupational therapists and psychologists, amongst others, and will provide a directory of services in an interactive map. Watch this space! It’s also busy lobbying government to standardise services provided for children with continence problems across Scotland, which are very variable in the different areas at present.

Scottish Government has commissioned an online learning resource, published in 2020, called “Bladder and Bowel Health in Children” which is freely accessible on the PCS website – take a look! Just search for “Paediatric Continence Scotland” and the module is right there on the home page.

https://www.paediatriccontinence. scot.nhs.uk/

There’s interactive content, downloadable PDF’s and specific information for health professionals, parents and educators to encourage a ‘team’ approach to helping children with continence problems. A dedicated section within the resource provides detailed information about how different forms of disability, from Autism Spectrum Disorder through to Spina Bifida, can affect continence and provides helpful strategies and tips for treatment.

The Greater Glasgow and Clyde website also has a range of helpful downloadables for many aspects of child development and health, including toilet training skills.

https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/kids/ resources/

In Scotland, we are lucky to have the Kidney Kids charity, who have been so supportive in the drive to improve the care of children with bladder and bowel problems. Because of the close links between bladder and kidney problems, they have been very active in campaigning for better services for children with continence issues and have helped to fund and equip a number of paediatric continence services across Scotland. You can download their colourful, fun booklet all about bladders and bowels from their website- watch out for that snake!

https://www.kidneykids.org.uk/ snakes--bladders

Contact Paediatric Continence Scotland and its members through: Dr. Catriona Morrison, (Chair) catriona.morrison3@nhs. scot or Dr. Fiona Cameron, (Secretary) fiona.cameron@ lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk