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There are few conditions that bring the degree of isolation, embarrassment and self-consciousness that bowel and urinary incontinence does. In the UK, about 14 million adults experience bladder control problems and 6.5 million have bowel control difficulties. Additionally, there are just under a million children in the UK experiencing continence conditions at any one time. Over £200 million is spent on personal incontinence products; this is in addition to over three times the same amount spent by the NHS. With a rapidly ageing population and unaddressed contributing factors, the significant financial burden, but importantly, the impact on the quality of life and dignity is devastating. We also know that cultural and communication difficulties can create barriers making treatment access and symptom alleviation more difficult. Considering the demography that this has a greater impact on - patients with a learning disability, non-English speakers and disabled patient - it becomes apparent this is a form of health inequality. However, pharmacy teams are best placed to tackle this head-on. Incontinence is the inability to control your bladder or bowel, so you accidentally lose urine from the bladder (urinary incontinence) or faeces from the bowel (bowel incontinence).

The University of the West of England (UWE) is conducting a survey to explore current practice in community pharmacy regarding the management of individuals who present with bladder and/or bowel incontinence. Approximately one in five people experience bladder or bowel leakage and they often do not know those simple conservative strategies can make a difference. A team from the UWE is conducting a study to understand the views on the Pharmacy Role In proMotion of continencE (PRIME); learn from current experiences; and explore what is feasible to develop, for improved bladder and bowel continence promotion. The survey should take around 10-15 minutes to complete and should be completed by one member of staff working within the community pharmacy.