Constipated children being failed by lack of services, say parents

Constipated children being failed by lack of services, say parents

Elissa Novak, a mother from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, shared her harrowing experience with her son Ivan’s severe constipation, leading to a life-threatening situation. She emphasized the importance of screening for constipation in all areas of healthcare, stressing the need for improved access to children’s continence services on a national level. Ivan’s condition was initially overlooked, which resulted in multiple emergency hospital admissions due to the absence of dedicated bladder and bowel services in certain regions of the country.

According to NHS data, there has been a significant increase in the number of children, up to 16 years old, requiring hospitalization as a result of constipation-related symptoms in recent years. Elissa highlighted how her son, now aged five, suffered immensely due to undiagnosed constipation, leading to numerous hospital visits and excruciating pain. She expressed concern over the lack of awareness and acknowledgment of constipation as a serious issue in children, emphasizing the urgent need for improved education and support for affected families.

Elissa’s campaign for better bladder and bowel care services echoes the sentiments of many parents who have struggled to access adequate care for their children dealing with constipation. The distress and frustration experienced by families like Elissa’s and Holly Brennan’s, whose daughter Ayda also faced chronic constipation, underscore the urgent need for enhanced support and recognition of children’s continence issues. Both Elissa and Holly emphasized the challenges they faced in navigating the healthcare system and the relief they finally found through specialized services like those offered by charities such as Eric.

In response to the growing concerns raised by families and healthcare professionals, government officials have acknowledged the need for improved community care services to address conditions like constipation in children. Efforts are being made to prioritize children’s continence care, with initiatives aimed at providing more accessible support and resources for affected families. However, advocates like Jodie Gosling continue to highlight the importance of addressing the chronic underfunding and disparities in healthcare services that contribute to the neglect of essential issues like childhood constipation

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