BOLTON health bosses have joined forces with a leading independent charity to improve continence services across the borough.

Wigan and Bolton Health Authority and the King's Fund, a leading health charity, have teamed up to promote better care and understanding of this distressing medical condition.

As part of the Fund's programme, the health authority has received £30,000 over two years to help staff at the three Trusts to provide services which are more effective and sensitive to patients' needs.

The project aims to introduce guidelines for continence service, including referral and assessment.

There are also plans to develop an education programme for professionals, users and carers and to ensure evidence-based practice is established in each organisation.

Dr Sally Bradley, Project Leader for the Health Authority, said: "Incontinence is a common and distressing problem. It often causes embarrassment and can limit peoples activities.

"Incontinence can be cured or improved in many people if they are assessed and managed appropriately.

"Research shows that simple measures such as pelvic floor exercises may be all that is needed to cure the incontinence."

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