Children and Young People’s Bladder and Bowel Service (CYBBS)

The Children and Young People’s Bladder and Bowel Service (CYBBS) is a community-based nurse-led service offering assessment, investigation, treatment and management of children and young people with bladder and bowel problems and toilet training difficulties. The service aims to promote healthy bladder and bowels amongst children and young people. This will help to make sure every opportunity is taken to support a child to achieve their continence potential, resulting in greater independence and dignity. This includes children with learning and/or physical difficulties.

The team consists of Specialist Children and Young People’s Bladder and Bowel Nurses and Advisors.

Where the service is based:

CYBBS is offered in various community clinics and at drop-in sessions in south east and south west Essex or by telephone and video call if appropriate.

How to contact the service:

Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays)-08.30 to 16.30

The administration telephone line is staffed from 09:00-15:00 Monday to Friday, with 24-hour voicemail facility.

Children and Young People’s Bladder and Bowel Service Administrator: 0344 257 3954

Children and Young People’s Bladder and Bowel Service email: epunft.cybbs@nhs.net

Referrals are accepted from GP's, Health Visitors, School Nurses and Paediatricians for children who are registered with a GP in south Essex.

The referrer must demonstrate that a physical assessment has been completed to rule out any underlying concerns/’red flags.

Continence containment products may be offered to children with a diagnosed disability or medical need affecting their continence, where a continence assessment and toilet training has been completed by a member of the specialist team and has been unsuccessful. Your child may be offered a product contribution to a maximum of four products per 24 hours, based on an individual assessment. Products can only be ordered following an assessment and are provided following local and National guidance.

Please use the referral form or alternatively, electronic Referral via SystmOne is preferred (EPUT Paediatric Community Nurses-Paediatric Continence) but we also accept  letters from GPs and Paediatricians, and completed referral forms by post or email.

Referral Criteria:

CYBBS provides assessment, treatment, support and advice to children and young people with bladder and bowel problems including:

• daytime wetting - from 4 years old
• night time wetting – from 5 years old
• constipation and soiling – from 4 years old
• delayed toileting – from age 2 years old where it is known or anticipated the child may have difficulties with toileting
• support with training for health and school staff for bladder and bowel management
• advice and support with containment products
• support for children with complex bladder and bowel conditions

Exclusions from service:

• children under 4 years or over 18 years old
• children out of area