A to Z of services

The Urogynaecology and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Unit provides a service for patients with pelvic floor dysfunction (bladder and bowel problems and/or prolapse).

Service overview 

To ensure optimal and streamlined management we have a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to female pelvic floor dysfunction.

The team consists of two Consultant Urogynaecologists, a nurse consultant, a colorectal nurse specialist and three nurse specialists in bladder dysfunction. The Trust has a purpose-built continence department with a well-equipped urodynamic and anorectal laboratory (now called The Orchid Suite) for continence services within Croydon.

In recognition of the excellent service provided the team won the 2005 UK Hospital Doctor of the Year Award for Continence Care and is also accredited by the British Society of Urogynaecology. The unit has a recognised Urogynaecology Subspeciality training programme and has a strong active research and audit programme.

We treat

Treatment for bladder and bowel dysfunction includes: conservative treatment for overactive bladder and incontinence, surgical options for urinary incontinence, management of voiding problems and recurrent urinary tract infections, constipation, obstructed defecation and faecal incontinence.

The team has special expertise in the treatment of genital prolapse, urinary and faecal incontinence and childbirth related perineal injuries and pelvic floor problems.

Procedures include:

• Vaginal hysterectomy and prolapse repair
• Sacrospinous vaginal hysteropexy
• Laparoscopic and open sacrocolpopexy
• Colposuspension
• Tension free Vaginal tapes
• Bulkamid transurethral injections
• Botox bladder injections
• Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation
• Sacral Nerve Stimulation
• Surgery for urethral diverticulum and repair of urethro-vaginal fistula
• Anal sphincter repair 

Clinics

Urogynaecology Clinics - Four weekly Consultant led clinics are available for women with urinary incontinence and prolapse in Croydon University Hospital and Purley Memorial Hospital.

Pessary Clinic – Monthly nurse led clinic in Croydon University Hospital and Purley Hospital. We have the widest range of pessaries for prolapse and incontinence to suit most women.

Triage Clinic - We provide a nurse led triage clinic where the nurse specialist assesses and initiates conservative management. Within our approved and implemented care pathways, patients come directly to a dedicated nurse-led clinic in the Orchid Suite (Formerly the Lancaster Suite) and are only referred onward to our consultant clinics if required. This in itself has reduced administration time, outpatient appointments and the patient journey.

All female patients are seen by a nurse specialist who undertakes triage and allocates them within an approved multidisciplinary team framework. If the patient enters the surgical pathway, the nurse specialist performs urodynamic studies and refers on to the consultant.

Trial without catheter clinic - This is a nurse led clinic for male and female patients who have a catheter in situ for various reasons but require it to be removed to establish if they can pass urine adequately without problems.

Urodynamic clinic - When conservative management has failed or if indicated based on the complexity of the problem, patients with bladder dysfunction are investigated using urodynamic studies.

Bowel dysfunction triage clinic - This is a nurse led clinic where patients with bowel dysfunction, (includes faecal incontinence, constipation and obstructive defecation), are assessed and an appropriate plan of care is established with the patient including biofeedback, lifestyle changes and dietary/fluid advice. These patients are followed up on a one to one basis.

The Perineal clinic - This is a dedicated weekly consultant led one-stop postpartum clinic that has facilities for endoanal ultrasound and anorectal physiology tests. It is also open to pregnant women but restricted to postpartum women up to 16 weeks after delivery.

The Pelvic Floor Clinics - Joint evaluation of complex pelvic floor disorders lead to be a more pragmatic approach in treating patients’ physical findings and symptoms. Combined surgery, leads to cost savings and a single recuperation period. Our audit revealed that patients rated this service very highly. These joint clinics, co-ordinated by the colorectal nurse specialist, include consultation with an urogynaecologist and a colorectal surgeon.

Endoanal and pelvic floor ultrasound scan clinic - Males and females with anal incontinence, evacuation problems and perianal sepsis and anal pain are assessed in this clinic using 3D and 4D ultrasound techniques.

Referral criteria

• Urinary incontinence
• Uterovaginal prolapse
• Management of voiding problems
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Childbirth related perineal trauma
• Faecal incontinence
• Obstructed defaecation

How to refer

Refer via Choose & Book.

Email ch-tr.obsgynaequeries@nhs.net

Tel - 020 8401 3983

Contact information

The Orchid Suite (Formerly the Lancaster Suite)

Croydon University Hospital

530 London Road

Croydon

CR7 7YE

Email ch-tr.obsgynaequeries@nhs.net

Tel - 020 8401 3983