A pioneering new service is transforming the care offered to Sandwell patients suffering from debilitating bowel conditions.
The FINCH service sees approximately 360 patients per year and offers investigations, treatments and advice for patients experiencing faecal incontinence, constipation and rectal evacuatory dysfunction. The service provides patients with a range of treatments including biofeedback, neuromodulation, irrigation and bowel retraining programmes.
More recently, the FINCH service has embarked on a new initiative, launching in integrated care pathway for faecal incontinence. The pathway delivers specialised assessment and treatments, streamlines the patient’s journey and minimises the patient’s embarrassment, as well as ensuring that the right treatment is given to the right patient in the right environment. The new service uses a patient hand-held document, which can be seen by the GP on patient software. Access to the service is by referral from a healthcare professional such as a GP, practice nurse or community continence team, and is delivered at the Lyng Centre in West Bromwich and Neptune Health Park in Tipton. The pathway is currently only open to those registered with a Sandwell GP.
Elizabeth Clarson, Bowel Function Clinical Nurse Specialist at the FINCH Service, said: “Sandwell patients who are suffering in silence with faecal incontinence or leakage, or urgent and frequent stools, should ask their GP to refer them to the new ICP service.
“The ICP streamlines the patient’s journey and minimises the patient’s embarrassment, as well as making sure that the right treatment is given to the right patient in the right environment.”
If you are registered with a Sandwell GP and think you may need to access the ICP service, ask your GP or other health professional to refer you, or go to https://www.swbh.nhs.uk/services/continence for more information.
Leave a Comment