Continence

National Continence Management Strategy Phase Three Action Plan 2006 to 2010

The National Continence Management Strategy (NCMS) supports research, public awareness activities and education and resource development, aimed at improving continence awareness, management and treatment.

Introduction

Incontinence is a significant health issue affecting children, women and men of all ages and results in physical, social, quality of life, and economic implications for the individual, their carers and the community.

The National Continence Management Strategy (NCMS) was established in 1998 to provide funding to research and service development initiatives aimed at prevention and treatment of this significant problem.

The Strategy is now in its third phase of activity. This phase has four major priorities:

• improving the information and evidence base;
• raising awareness of incontinence;
• supporting the continence workforce; and
• improving access to continence intervention and management.

Continence Projects

Continence Awareness and Support Project

The Continence Awareness and Support Project (the CASP) is managed on behalf of the Department of Health and Ageing by the Continence Foundation of Australia. The project aims to raise awareness of continence promotion, management and treatment and to facilitate access to a range of information and support services through:

• the National Continence Helpline free call 1800 33 00 66 (8am to 8pm Monday to Friday) which provides clinical advice to people at risk of and affected by incontinence, their carers, family, friends, health professionals and the general public;
• continence educational and training activities;
• health promotion and awareness raising activities such as Continence Awareness Week; and
• promoting cooperation between continence related groups and agencies and facilitating local support groups and activities (through State and Territory based organisations).

Bladder and Bowel Health Website

The Bladder and Bowel Website, www.bladderbowel.gov.au has information and advice on the prevention and management of bladder control and bowel problems for consumers, carers, health professionals, service providers and researchers. It also contains information about the Continence Aids Assistance Scheme.

National Public Toilet Map Website

The National Public Toilet Map website, www.toiletmap.gov.au shows the location of more than 14,000 public and private public toilet facilities across Australia. Details of toilet facilities can be found along major travel routes and also for shorter journeys. Location information, opening hours, availability of baby change rooms, accessibility for people with disabilities and the details of other nearby toilets is provided.

Continence Outcomes Measures (COMS) Dissemination Project

The COMS Dissemination Project will develop and deliver a translation program of continence outcomes measures to national and international clinicians. Educational material will be developed to assist clinicians and health care workers to utilise and understand the continence instruments.

The University of Wollongong developed and presented papers and posters on the research findings of the continence outcome measures and patient satisfaction instrument to national and international clinicians and researchers.

Further work is being proposed to conduct field trials to establish the validity, reliability and suitability of the continence outcome measures in Australian treatment settings and then to translate these for use by health professionals.

The reports are:

• Measuring Incontinence in Australia 2006 (PDF 4325 KB)

• Continence Outcomes Measurement Suite together with Review of Patient Satisfaction Measures 2006 (PDF 7943 KB)

• Framework for Economic and Cost Evaluation for Continence Conditions 2006 (PDF 4000 KB)

• Measuring Patient Satisfaction with Incontinence Treatment 2006 (PDF 1085 KB)

• Refining Continence Measurement Tools 2006 (PDF 939 KB)

The Incontinence and Patient Satisfaction Tools and Instructions are:

• Revised Incontinence and Patient Satisfaction Tools and Instructions (PDF 83 KB)

National Men's Continence Awareness Project

A National Men's Continence Awareness Project is being proposed to raise the awareness among men of the causes of poor bladder and bowel health. Information materials would be specifically targeted for men.

Pharmacy Continence Care Project

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia is delivering a training package to educate Pharmacists and Pharmacy Assistants to enable them to better inform clients about continence care and management. The Guild developed the training to provide community pharmacists and pharmacy assistants with information and skills to raise community awareness of the issues of incontinence and to provide a better informed service to their customers.

Daily Living Self Management Resources

The Daily Living Self Management resources offer strategies for people with incontinence to help with their work life, family life and social life.

The resource for clients is :
• Live Better (PDF 850 KB) - for people with urinary incontinence.

Another resource is available to inform health professionals how to help their clients with urinary incontinence.

The resource for health professionals is :
• What now (PDF 280 KB) - a resource for health professionals.

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