IT's one of the great social taboos, associated with those one assumes "simply can't help it", yet it could affect up to 2,500 people in Bolton alone. Urinary incontinence affects between three-five million of the UK population, yet in 70 per cent of cases the condition can be cured completely.

In Bolton there's a dedicated team of professionals who are striving to overcome the public's fear of embarrassment and offer practical help and support too.

These people who work from Lever Chambers for Health on Ashburner Street, operate not only from their base but in people's homes, health centres and clinics across the borough.

"What we're trying to get over is that this is not just an elderly person's problem who, because they're old can't be expected to be otherwise," explained Julia Herbert, the Continence Team Leader.

"It's an issue for all walks of people. We understand that the loss of control with bladder or bowels is very embarrassing, whatever your age, but help is now easily available by contacting your local health centre," she added.

A person experiencing difficulties with continence will first see a member of their primary health care team.

This could be a district nurse, health visitor, school nurse or practice nurse who will carry out an initial assessment and provide a patient with a treatment plan to help overcome their problems.

The continence team, made up of three nurses and two physiotherapists, works in close liaison with the primary health care teams offering specialist support and advice.

Despite the public's perception of this problem the condition is prevalent in many walks of life but post natal women and menopausal women are particularly susceptible.

Men very often leave things until there are problems with the prostate, but now the team has a full time presence on the rehabilitation team which means there's direct access to those who suffer neurological disorders or those severely traumatised by an accident.

If you are experiencing difficulties and feel you would benefit from expert advice and help, but feel unable to see your own GP the continence team can be contacted directly on Bolton 360029,

This week is National Continence Awareness Week. If you would like to meet the team working in Bolton they will be promoting continence and helping with the Management of Incontinence at Boots, The Gates, Bolton tomorrow (Wednesday, November 4) between 10am-4pm.

If you live outside Bolton town centre the team con be contacted via health centres across the borough. The contacts for these are Alistair Ross 521227. Avondale 492331. Cannon Street 391095. Great Lever 399001. Halliwell 592381. Tonge Fold 393093. Farnworth 572972. Little Lever 793135. Tonge Moor 386395. Harwood 308729. Egerton and Dunscar 591531. Blackrod 692229. Westhoughton 01942 842323. Horwich 696341.

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