Urological issues, including bladder, kidney, prostate and testicular problems, are surprisingly common. Half of us could be diagnosed with a urology condition in our lifetime - and symptoms can cause both discomfort and embarrassment.
Urology issues can become more common as we age, which means they’re also likely to be impacting your more senior staff in terms of sickness absences, productivity while at work - or causing them to retire early if symptoms become too hard to manage.
Urology in numbers
- 1 in 2 1 people in the UK will experience a urology condition
- 10% 2 of GP consultations are about a urology issues
- 20% 3 - the increase in hospital referrals for urology issues in the last five years
- 25% 4 of all surgical referrals to hospitals are for urological conditions
- 50%-60% 5 of UK women will develop a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) at least once in their life
- 20% 6 of women will experience recurrent UTIs
- 13% 7 of women and 5% of men will experience urinary incontinence at some stage in their life
- 78,000 8 people every year are diagnosed with a urology cancer (bladder, kidney, penile, prostate, testicular)
- 1 in 130 9 women will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in their lifetime
- 1 in 55 10 men will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in their lifetime
- 2 in 20 11 women and 3 in 20 men will get kidney stones
- 7.2 million 12 people in the UK have chronic kidney disease
- 70,000 13 people in the UK are being treated for kidney failure
- 31,000 14 are on dialysis
What does the law say about urology issues?
UK employment law doesn't specifically address urological issues in the workplace, but it does cover disability discrimination through the Equality Act 2010, which can include chronic health conditions.
How businesses can support people with urological issues
1. Be open about bodily functions
Quite understandably, people often don’t want to talk about their bladders and bowels – especially at work. But suffering in silence means people are delaying potential diagnosis and treatment options. It’s also why workplaces need to take away the embarrassment factor and take the lead in being open about bodily functions.
That might include health awareness campaigns, for instance around World Kidney Day and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in March, Bladder Cancer Awareness Month in May, Urology Awareness Month in September, and Bladder Health Awareness Month in November.
Posters on the back of loo doors are a great way to raise awareness of signs and symptoms of urological issues, and we’ve also got urology articles on the Equipsme blog to share on intranets and in internal communications.
2. Update policies and embed reasonable adjustments
Make sure urology issues are recognised as part of your sickness and absence policies and ensure reasonable adjustments can be made to accommodate people experiencing urological symptoms. That might mean extra time to attend medical appointments, more loo breaks, locating someone nearer to a toilet or allowing them to access disabled loos.
3. Provide regular training for managers
Policies and reasonable adjustments can only work if line managers have the appropriate training, and the confidence to implement them. Regular training can support your people and managers can address health issues with their teams, and offer appropriate support when and where it’s needed.
4. Remind people about their Equipsme plan
Equipsme plans come with 24/7 GP access, which can provide convenient, swift appointments - and a vital second opinion service.
The nurse helpline is also available 24/7, and has nurses, midwives and pharmacists on hand who can offer support and answer immediate questions about symptom management, medication, and next steps.
If diagnosis and treatment from AXA Health is part of their plan, your people have a fast track to getting on top of waterworks issues. If their claim is covered, they can see an AXA Health Urologist at a private hospital near them, and get the health tests and answers they need, faster. Before submitting a claim, they will need an Open Referral letter which they can enquire about from either their own NHS GP, or the 24/7 private GP service form Health Hero.
Great resources for members:
Great resources and references for employers:
Sources
1 www.theurologyfoundation.org/impact-achievements/facts-and-figures
2 www.baus.org.uk/patients/information/default.aspx
3 www.baus.org.uk/patients/information/default.aspx
4 www.baus.org.uk/patients/information/default.aspx
5 www.theurologyfoundation.org/impact-achievements/facts-and-figures
6 www.theurologyfoundation.org/impact-achievements/facts-and-figures
7 www.theurologyfoundation.org/impact-achievements/facts-and-figures
8 www.theurologyfoundation.org/impact-achievements/facts-and-figures
9 www.theurologyfoundation.org/impact-achievements/facts-and-figures
10 www.theurologyfoundation.org/impact-achievements/facts-and-figures
11 www.theurologyfoundation.org/impact-achievements/facts-and-figures
12 kidneycareuk.org/kidney-disease-information/about-kidney-health/facts-about-kidneys
13 kidneycareuk.org/kidney-disease-information/about-kidney-health/facts-about-kidneys
14 kidneycareuk.org/kidney-disease-information/about-kidney-health/facts-about-kidneys
