"Poor access to incontinence services"

I had prostate laser surgery in December and was told by my surgeon that my prostate was the largest he had removed that year. When I was discharged I was given a leaflet & followed instructions expecting the issues the leaflet stated. I already probably got up 3 times a night to pass urine before operation. What I was not expecting was getting up 5/8 times a night from January onwards,  causing sleep deprivation day & night , constant trips to the toilet for short bursts along with constant leakage with a variety of sensations.

I could not get an appointment at urology despite leaving messages about my problems. Telephone calls to doctors resulted in 2 negative urine tests  along with one doctor over the phone issuing antibiotics without a urine test, also having no impact. Through a telephone call with the surgeons secretary I was issued with tablets by the surgeon which after 2 months had no impact. I went for a flow test at the Beckenham Beacon asking to see someone to discuss my serious problems to which a nurse gave me another leaflet that said nothing about the issues I had. I started buying pants for day & night use as I was continuously washing clothes and bed sheets.  Another telephone call to doctors being resulted in me being issued a different medication. Again, neither tablet seems to be helping. I was feeling like a zombie.

Nobody had told me about an incontinence service (bowel & bladder) which I found out about & rang.  I spoke to someone about my problems and had an appointment in March & it was stated that I could get pants provided. I did not get either a letter or an e mail to confirm the appointment. Thinking that the appointment was at the Chistlehurst clinic I rang the day before where a helpful woman told me that the appointment was at the Beacon, so I turned up thinking it was in Urology.  At Urology the receptionist was at lunch but someone took me to the Bowel & Bladder section which is not signposted. Their receptionist was very helpful but had no luck in someone answering the phone so they went downstairs to try & speak to someone.  After quite some time  I was advised that a fresh appointment needed to be made & that I should have got a letter & that I would not get free pants on the first contact, as if that was the reason I was wanting an appointment.

This person did not appear to be on my side & I'm afraid I overreacted & told them not to bother as I was so upset trying to explain what is embarrassing .The receptionist was very understanding and sent an e mail.  I received a phone call that afternoon and repeated what I had already said a number of times. I was advised that I needed to keep details of urine flow etc for 2 days & nights explaining what to do and an email would be sent with the necessary form to fill in. I expected that form on Friday but it did not arrive so I rang up today on the same number I used before.

So here I am, having got up 8 times in the night, feeling dreadful deciding to send this story, knowing there are lots of old people like me in their seventies who perhaps don't have the mental agility to put across these  issues, and may have the most debilitating health problem causing much embarrassment.

I should have been told, either by my doctor or the urology dept, that there is this specialist service working hand in hand with so many patients who have incontinence so that the best care & service can be given.

I personally feel let down & could have been referred in January having suffered 2 months more than I should have..

Thanks for your time.