Pelvic Floor Unit and Urogynaecology in Western Sydney

Treatment options

Many pelvic floor problems do not require surgery. While you are waiting to see the team, it can be useful to see a physiotherapist that specialises in pelvic floor health or a nurse continence advisor to help fix some of your symptoms. Your GP can help you with this. 

The team may organise and discuss some tests for you, such as:

• urodynamics, to investigate your incontinence
• a bladder diary prior to any surgery
• the use of vaginal oestrogen to help your symptoms
• the use of vaginal pessary prior to any surgery.

If you need surgery, you will receive a letter from the hospital with your date for surgery and any preadmission tests / appointments. 

Your length of stay in hospital will be decided by your surgeon and discussed with you before surgery and during your hospital stay. Most of your recovery will occur at home and your hospital stay will be as short as possible. 

It is important to not do any heavy lifting or straining for 3 months after surgery. Your recovery care will be fully discussed with you before surgery and while in hospital.

Referrals and appointments

You will need a referral from your local doctor or other specialist to attend our service. You will also need to complete and return paperwork, which includes some of your basic details. You can send us your referral and paperwork by:

• fax to (02) 8890 7394
• email to WSLHD-WestmeadPelvicFloorUnit@health.nsw.gov.au

Once confirmed, we will provide an appointment date and time to you along with a list of other urogynaecologists in the Sydney and Newcastle area if you feel the waiting time is too long for you.

Note: As the PFU is a highly specialised service, there is a waiting list of 8 to 12 months for an appointment. For this reason, we carefully assess every referral and make appointments based on the medical severity and urgency of the problem.

For your first appointment please bring your:

• appointment letter
• Medicare card / DVA card
• private health fund details
• any test results you may have.

Discharge home

Please arrange for family or friends to take you home by 10am on the day of discharge. If your family are unable to collect you by 10am, we will move you to the Patient Discharge Unit, on Level 2 of the University Clinics where you can wait to be collected. 

A follow up appointment will be sent to you after discharge. This appointment is usually 3 months after your surgery.