Consultants

James Balmforth

Sarah Dix

Sarah Burgess

Charlotte Chant

Advanced Clinical Practitioner - Urogynaecology Service Lead

Danielle Dew

Nurse Specialist

Anoop Martin

Physician Associate

Ellie Bradford

Pelvic Health Specialist Physiotherapist Service, Service Lead

Sally Sheppard

Pelvic Health Specialist Physiotherapist Therapists

Louise Kazemi - Team Lead

Samantha White - Team Lead

Sarah Bel-Ayche

Vick Kalinina

Lisa Drury

Caroline Caton

Kirsty Jesty

Rosie Harper

Ann Henderson

Band 5 rotational Pelvic Health Physiotherapists gaining experience and development in the field.

Urogynaecology Service

The Urogynaecology Service is based on Harbourside Unit at Poole Hospital, with Physiotherapy teams who are based at Poole and Christchurch. The service seeks to address problems with pelvic floor function including urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic health symptoms and difficulties experienced during pregnancy and after childbirth. We have an experienced team of doctors, specialist nurses and pelvic floor physiotherapists who work together to offer a range of treatments for these embarrassing and frequently disabling conditions.

The Urogynaecology service works closely with other health care professionals from colorectal surgery, primary care continence services, obstetrics, gastroenterology, urology, rehabilitation medicine and medicine for the elderly. We are a regional referral centre for complex pelvic floor problems as well as dealing with common issues such as recurrent urinary tract infections and urinary incontinence.

Further information regarding The Pelvic Health Therapy Team can be found on the UHD intranet site.

Pessary Clinics

The urogynaecology service also provides advice and guidance about and fitting and removal of complex vaginal pessaries.

In the female pelvis, a prolapse occurs when the muscles and ligaments that hold the pelvic organs in place are no longer strong enough to do the job effectively, or the vaginal walls are weakened. A prolapse is very common and is usually caused by a combination of factors such as pregnancy, childbirth, constipation, obesity, severe or chronic coughs, menopause, and regular, heavy lifting. Prolapse can cause an uncomfortable dragging sensation or feeling of fullness in the vagina, frequently needing to pass urine, difficulty in emptying the bladder or bowel, discomfort during intercourse, and urinary tract infections. In more advanced cases the prolapse can extend beyond the entrance to the vagina. Prolapse is very common and not all women will require treatment. If your symptoms are not bothering you then no treatment may be necessary. Lifestyle changes may prevent further deterioration of your prolapse and these changes will be discussed with you at your clinic appointment.

A vaginal pessary is a small, removable device that can be inserted into the vagina to support the vaginal walls or uterus, to relieve symptoms of prolapse. It can be used as a short- or long-term measure in management of your prolapse symptoms. The option of a pessary for short term or long-term management of your prolapse will be discussed with you at your clinic appointment.

Useful contact information

Bournemouth

Secretary to uro-gynaecology consultants at RBH:

0300 019 4336 (Mon-Fri 7am-3pm, answerphone available out of hours).

Poole

Secretary to uro-gynaecology consultants at PH:

0300 019 2511 (Mon/Wed/Thurs 8am-4pm/Tues 8am-3pm, answerphone available out of hours).

For Bournemouth & Poole

Urogynaecology nurse specialist team:

0300 019 5729 (Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, with answerphone).