Bladder and Bowel Service Survey
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Healthwatch Suffolk undertook a survey between July and October 2023 of people who had used the Bladder and Bowel service. 24 people completed it.
Key findings
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The views expressed were mixed. The main issue raised by those using the BABS service is the change from pull-up pad pants to pads, which sit in the under garment and which respondents state do not meet their client/relative’s needs.
None of the respondents commented that there had been any consultation about changing from pull-up pad pants to pads, but that they had only been told that the pull-up pad pants were no longer available and the supplier had changed. Users were not given a choice of product.
Response times to queries and to the assessment could sometimes be slow and that links between the services could be unsatisfactory.
Some respondents stated they purchase their own pull-up pant pads, with one commenting it could cost up to £45.00 per week.
The results of the survey show that despite general satisfaction with the BABS service, the change from the pull-up pad pants to pads has had a detrimental impact on some patients’ independence and dignity.