Our mission is to provide evidence-based advice, specialist assessment and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction and give the patient the skills and support to improve and/or manage symptoms in order to improve quality of life and achieve patient-led goals. 

What do we treat?

  •  Urinary frequency (having to use the toilet very often)
  • Urinary Urgency (inability to wait to use the toilet)
  • Leakage due to the inability to reach the toilet in time
  • Leakage when you cough, jump, etc
  • Inability to control bowels
  • Constipation
  • Prolapse
  • Post-prostatectomy incontinence

How can I be referred?

If you are registered with a GP in Chorley or South Ribble, you can be referred to the service by your GP or any other healthcare professional you may be seeing.

You can self-refer but you will need to be able to provide full medical history and current medication.

Hopefully, this information booklet will help you understand how to access the service and what we can offer. However, if you have any questions you wish to discuss, please ring the number provided in the contact details section.

What will happen after referral?

Once you have been referred, you will be added to our waiting list. As soon as we have an appointment available, we will send you a letter with the appointment details. Appointments are available at various venues and days.

If you are unable to attend the appointment offered, please contact the service as soon as possible to cancel the appointment and rearrange.

Please note, if you cancel and/or do not attend your appointment twice, you will then be discharged from the service. If you no longer require the appointment, please let us know as soon as possible to enable us to be able to offer the appointment to somebody else.

What will happen on my initial visit?

You will be seen by a specialist pelvic floor physiotherapist who will complete a full assessment to obtain a clear history of your complaint.

Your assessment may also include urine test, bladder scan and an examination. These can aid in deciding the best treatment options for you. We will discuss whether these tests are required at your first visit.

We are happy for you to bring a relative or friend as a chaperone if you feel this would be best for you.

The examination enables the clinician to assess your muscles, make sure you are performing exercises correctly and allows her to prescribe the most suitable exercise programme for you.

After the examination, the clinician will discuss the findings with you and decide on a suitable course of treatment to meet your needs.

You will never be made to have an examination. You always have the right to decline.

If you decline an examination, you will still be given advice and support to perform the exercises in order to try to improve your symptoms.

Appropriate treatment programmes will be discussed and implemented. A follow-up appointment will usually be arranged to assess progress and progress treatment plan.

It may take 3-4 months for your symptoms to improve. If you have not noticed any significant improvement in your symptoms after this time, your physiotherapist will discuss further management and/or treatment options and will arrange referral to other services if required.

Contact details

Telephone: 01772 777 480

Email: clare.bolton@lscft.nhs.uk

Address: Bladder and Bowel Service, Ribbleton Clinic, Langden Drive, Ribbleton, Preston, PR2 6HT.