"Being referred to the Continence Clinic"

I had approached my GP with worries about feeling that I had lost sensation from my bladder and hence  the ability to control its emptying. He said that he would refer me to Uro-Gynaecology, but warned that the wait might be long. After 3months I was given a telephone appointment which was almost immediately postponed by two months. When the call did happen, the follow up letter did not seem to have understood correctly what I had said but confirmed that I would be referred to the urogynaecology clinic and in the meantime to the continence team (CATS) at Wallacetown, Dundee. 

The response from CATS was quick but again warned of possible long delays before an appointment, however included with the letter were suggestions for YouTube videos giving information and exercises to be used while I waited to be seen. These resources were much appreciated and two months later I attended my first clinic appointment.

For the first time I was given the time to describe my symptoms fully and explain my worries about their possible cause. The nurse could not have been more sympathetic and understanding. She listened! I was examined, scanned and reassured, then self-help techniques were discussed and pelvic floor exercises practised. When I left I had been given a pair of incontinence pants to try for size and told to phone with my chosen size after which  I would receive 6pairs on prescription, delivered to my door. I phoned back the same day and the free underwear was received 48hours later.

I was quite overwhelmed by the extent of the help I had received and the kindness of everyone involved. This was medicine being practised as it ought to be, restoring personal communication between human beings, not afraid of touch and acknowledging the emotional content underlying what is being discussed. 

I was reassured, given advice and self-help techniques to try and another appointment to assess progress. My GP received a letter within two days with a request to issue a prescription, This was copied to me and I received the medicines within the week. All in all I was given the impression of staff who were experts in what they were doing and how it should be done, providing a service that could not have been bettered.