§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the liaison which exists between local authorities and area health authorities regarding services for individuals who suffer from incontinence; if he is satisfied with the advice given to the families of incontinent persons by area health authorities and local authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungArrangements for the provision of services for people who suffer from incontinence are best left for decision by individual health and social services authorities. Health and local authorities are well aware of the need for full collaboration.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of persons suffering from incontinence in England; if he will publish the advice given by his Department to area health authorities and local authorities on this subject; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungInformation about the national prevalence of this symptom, which relates to various illnesses and conditions, is not available, but theBritish Medical Journal of 14 January 1978 suggested a figure of upwards of 2 million people in Britain. Further information based on studies in particular areas is given in my reply to another question from the hon. Member today.
528WThe latest advice given by the Department to the Health Service is a letter from the chief nursing officer to nurse managers of May 1977 (CNO(SNC)(77)1). A copy is being placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many men and women in England suffer from incontinence in the age ranges 18 to 30, 30 to 50, 50 to 60, 60 to 75 years and those over 75 years of age; how many children suffer from incontinence; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThe number of men, women and children in England suffering from incontinence is not known. The Department is, however, currently providing financial support for a study at the epidemiology and medical care unit, Northwick Park hospital, Harrow, Middlesex into various aspects of incontinence including the measurement of prevalence in the general population. As part of this study, the unit has conducted postal surveys in four areas, Brent, Harrow, Bristol and South Wales, to ascertain the prevalence of "regular" urinary incontinence, defined as two or more episodes a month. The results obtained so far (from Brent, Harrow and South Wales) are set out in the following table:
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take action to improve the facilities, training and services available to assist the incontinent to remain in their homes and to lead fully integrated lives in the community; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungI am satisfied that existing arrangements are adequate to assist professional staff to update their knowledge and skills on this aspect of 529W their work and to provide the appropriate supportive services to assist incontinent people to remain in the community.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publicise self-help schemes, advisory leaflets and facilities and equipment designed to assist the incontinent and their families; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThe Health Education Council already distributes an advisory leaflet on the subject of incontinence and other organisations also provide helpful information; however, in the first instance individuals should seek advice on the management of incontinence from their general practitioners, district nurse or health visitor.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will sponsor and encourage the Disabled Living Foundation and other voluntary organisations in publicity campaigns, teach-ins and soon, regarding the care of the incontinent in the community; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThe Department already gives financial support to the Disabled Living Foundation and other voluntary organisations working on behalf of disabled and elderly people among whom incontinence may be a problem. The Disabled Living Foundation pays particular attention to the subject and provides an incontinence advisory service which includes education and training for interested professional staff.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the extent of medical and technology research being carried out in the prevention and nursing of the difficulties caused by incontinence; if he will list the centres where such research is carried out by his Department; if he will indicate the sums of money involved; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungInterested research institutions have been advised that incontinence is a priority subject area and this Department and the Welsh Office give sympathetic consideration to all scientifically sound proposals.
Projects at present being supported from the Departments' research and development budget are: 530W
- (i) K. P. S. Caldwell, Incontinence Clinic, Royal Devon and Exeter hospital. Study of methods for the investigation of urinary incontinence. Cost: £21,000, Period 1979-January 1982.
- (ii) Dr. T. W. Meade, Epidemiology and Medical Care Unit, Northwick Park hospital. Prevalence and health service implications of incontinence. Cost: £143,000, Period 1 July 1975 to 30 June 1981. Some other work on incontinence is being done as part of the general programme of this unit which is funded jointly by DHSS and the Medical Research Council.
- (iii) Dr. A. Cottenden, University of Sussex. A study of currently available collection devices to help severely disabled children with a urethra or stoma incontinent of urine. Cost: £13,296, Period 1 April 1980–30 September 1981.
Two studies relating to incontinence services for children are scheduled to start shortly at the social policy research unit. York university. In addition, work on materials to protect bedding is in progress at the Department's biomechanical research and development unit, Roehampton.