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Continence Appliances

Many people living in Aneurin Bevan Health Board area use appliances to help them manage their bladder or bowel conditions. Catheters, sheaths, body worn urinals and leg bags/night bags are all examples of appliances but there are other types too.

All recommendations and prescriptions for catheters, sheaths & appliances will be undertaken by an ABUHB Specialist Nurse or suitable health care professional and you will be registered with the Aneurin Bevan Continence Appliance Prescription Service.

To order a prescription for your continence product, you will need to telephone the following number or email 01633 744286 or abb.bladderandboweladmin@wales.nhs.uk

The prescription service is available between 8:30am and 1:00pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). Please order your prescription during these hours. Phone lines will be manned between 8:30am – 1:00pm (excluding Bank Holidays) to deal with queries or concerns.  Your call will be answered by a trained Call Handler

 

Why is this different to my other prescription items?

The NHS recognises that Bladder & Bowel Nurse Specialists are experts in all aspects of continence care and the nursing team will regularly review your needs to ensure that you are provided with appropriate products and can liaise with others involved in your care. 


Ordering Your Prescriptions

  • When you have 14 day’s supply of continence product left, telephone the Continence Appliance Service to arrange your next prescription.
  • You will be asked some simple questions regarding any problems you may have had since your last prescription.
  • It is important that you tell the Call Handler if you have experienced any problems with your appliances or if you have had a recent urine infection so that your needs can be reviewed.
  • The Specialist Nurse will arrange your next prescription which will usually be for two month’s supply.   
  • Please only order what you need.  If you don’t order an item, it will not be removed from your records, so you will still be able to order it when you next need it.


Obtaining Your Products

Once the prescription for your products has been produced, it must be dispensed.  The Call Handler will ask you where you would like the prescription sent.  You will be offered 3 options each time you order a prescription:

  • Pharmacy / GP Dispensary - The Continence Service can send the prescription directly to your local community pharmacy or GP dispensary. You can then collect your products from there, or most will be able to deliver to your home.
  • Home - The Continence Service can send the prescription to your home address.  You can then take it to your local pharmacy or GP dispensary, or post it to a DAC of your choice.
  • DAC - The Continence Service can send the prescription directly to your choice of Dispensing Appliance Contractor (DAC) who will deliver your appliances to your home.  There are a number of DACs who operate in Gwent and the Continence Service can provide you with more details

 

It is important to store your products in their original packaging away from direct heat, damp, dirt and dust.

Please make sure that you use up your existing stock of products before starting any from your latest order.  By doing this, it will help ensure that none of your products are out of date when you use them, which can lead to infections or skin damage.

Always use your products as shown in the product instructions or as advised by your nurse.  Please do not adapt your products unless you have been advised by your nurse, as this may make the products less effective or unsafe.

If you are having difficulties using your products, or have any queries about managing your continence, please telephone the Continence Appliance Service.

01633 744286 or abb.bladderandboweladmin@wales.nhs.uk