Supporting children in Brent: CLCH launches new Bladder and Bowel Continence Service

Families in Brent now have access to a brand-new Paediatric Bladder and Bowel Continence Service, designed to support children and young people aged 5 to18 (up to 19 for those with special educational needs and disabilities or attending special schools) who are experiencing bladder or bowel difficulties.

From daytime wetting and bedwetting to constipation and delayed toilet training, these common but often challenging issues can affect a child’s health, wellbeing, and confidence. The new service provides specialist support locally, helping children achieve continence, reducing the need for hospital visits, and ensuring families feel supported every step of the way.

What the service offers:

Enhanced Tier 1 – Toileting advice and drop-in support
This part of the service focuses on early guidance for families. A specialist continence nurse trains local staff, including GPs, school nurses, and health visitors, to ensure children get the support they need close to home. Families can receive advice on toilet training, healthy fluid intake, diet, and the use of continence products. Appointments are provided to give personalised support in a safe and welcoming environment.

Tier 2 – Paediatric bladder and bowel clinic
For children who need more in-depth care, the clinic offers detailed assessments and tailored treatment plans. Led by an experienced paediatric continence nurse, the clinic works closely with GPs, paediatricians, social care, and CAMHS to provide comprehensive support. Treatments may include medications for bedwetting or overactive bladder, laxatives for constipation, and continence products. Before their first appointment, families complete a bladder and bowel diary, which helps the team create the most effective, personalised care plan.

The initiative reflects the NHS 10-year plan’s focus on integrated, community-based care, early intervention, and personalised support. Kim Lewis, Head of Clinical Services for Brent Children Services, said: “Our team is dedicated to helping children and young people in Brent achieve the best possible continence outcomes. By providing expert advice, personalised care plans, and practical support within the community, we are putting the principles of the NHS 10-year plan into practice. This approach brings care closer to home, promotes early intervention, and reduces unnecessary hospital visits.”

The service also plays an important role in reducing health inequalities. By offering accessible, local support for all children — including those with SEND or attending special schools — it ensures that families can still receive timely, high-quality care and support closer to home. Training for GPs, health visitors and school nurses means advice is available from trusted professionals within the community, reducing the need for hospital visits. With a focus on early intervention, the service can help stop minor problems from becoming more serious, while personalised care plans take account of each child’s individual needs. This service helps to give every child the chance to achieve continence and enjoy improved wellbeing, regardless of their circumstances.

Parents played a key role in shaping the new service through the Paediatric Continence Service Parent Forum.

Carole Foyle, Brent Parent Participation Lead, said: "We’re very happy, on behalf of parents and the forum, with how this service has been developed. It’s a really good example of co-production, and we’re chuffed to see it now in place for local families."

Contact details
The service is available at:

• Wembley Centre for Health and Care, 116 Chaplin Road, Wembley, HA0 4UZ
• Clinics run Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9am to 5pm.
• Telephone: 020 8102 3456
• Email: Clcht.brentpaedsbladderandbowel@nhs.net

More details, including referral routes and clinic information, can be found on the CLCH website.