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North Shore (09) 486 8900
Waitakere (09) 839 0000

Patient Information

Waitematā DHB offers assessment and treatment services for women who experience urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse or complicaitons following treatment with transvaginal mesh.

You will be looked after by a multidisciplinary team in this specialised service. During your time with us your team may include medical, nursing and allied health professionals such as credentialed surgeons, pain specialists, physiotherapists, continence specialists, occupational therapists, nurse specialists, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists. This team will work with you to fully understand your diagnosis and the possible treatment options so that you can come to a joint decision about what is best for you.

 

Here is the treatment journey you might expect in our service. Not all steps will apply to you.

Patient Journey Map

First appointmentYou will likely be referred to us by your GP. Here is what you can do to prepare for your first appointment with us:

  • Ensure you know where to go
    (find out how to get to North Shore Hospital or the Elective Surgery Centre here)
  • Know when your appointment is
  • Bring your appointment letter with you so you have the time and date handy
  • You will receive text reminders of your appointment. It is important that you tell us if your mobile number changes

At your first appointment your healthcare professional will:

  • Ask questions and discuss with you your health history
  • They may refer you to do urodynamic studies or additional tests
  • Help you understand your condition an diagnosis
  • Discuss yoru circumstances and heatlh with you
  • Discuss the treatment options available to you based on your condition, your circumstances
    (view patient information booklets available here)
  • Work with you to come up with a personal treatment plan

Tests and AssessmentsAs part of your treatment journey, you may be requried to complete a comprehensive assessment. This may involve questionnaires to assess pelvic function and continance, pain, occupational and sexual function, quality of life, and psychological distress.

Additional tests may be performed such as bladder function tests (urodynamics), examination under general anaesthetic, cystoscopy (a camera to look inside the bladder), specialised ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The decision about which tests to perform will be made by the clinical team in discusion with you, and will depend on your individual circumstances.

Key ContactsWe have a team of Booking Clerks, Peri-operative Coordinators and Clinical Nurse Specialists who oversee your journey with us.

The team may call you if we need more information, tests to be arranged, or we need to follow-up and discuss any treatment that may be required.

 

If you are having surgery as part of your treatment, this is what you need to remember and prepare ahead of your surgery. On the day of the surgery, we ask that you follow these simple steps to ensure everything goes smoothly on the day:

Eating and Drinking Follow the instructions given to you regarding eating and drinking times and taking or stopping your medication
No Shaving Do not shave the area near to your surgery site as cutting or grazing your skin may lead to your surgery being cancelled
Shower Please have a shower and wash your hair prior to coming in to hospital
No Makeup Please ensure all your make-up, nail polish and jewellery has been removed
Warm Clothing Please try to wear warm and comfy clothes when you travel to the hospital, so you remain as warm as possible right up to your operation
Time to Travel Please allow for plenty of time when travelling into hospital. It's better to arrive early than late

Following you surgery you will be admitted to Cullen Ward (in the Elective Surgical Centre) or Hine Ora Ward.

The Pelvic Health Physiotherapy service is a team of experienced female clinicians with the knowledge and skill to treat patients with pelvic floor dysfunction. We work in the hospital wards and clinics and clinical spaces within the community across Waitematā.  The service offers conservative treatment options including assessment, education classes, as well as 1:1 face to face appointments.

Find more information about continence at Continence NZ.

Social workers assist with social problem(s) that will impact on your ongoing care or discharge planning.

This could involve information, support, assistance and coordination around emotional and practical issues, legal issues, family and relationship issues, social circumstances, safety issues and discharge planning.

Please ask the ward or clinic staff to contact a social worker if you need this type of advice or support.

"Don't be afraid to ask questions about all the treatment options, and ask them to tell you what the risks and complications are for each of those options."
  - From a woman who has been through this before

"If you can take along a support person when attending appointments, a second set of ears is excellent for a sounding board when making a decision. Also they might hear something you didn't hear in the appointment."
  - From a woman who has been through this before

Support PersonsYou may find it helpful to take a family member or friend for support when discussing your options and the next steps with your doctor.

Find more information for visitors and support people here.


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