HC Deb 27 November 1985 vol 87 cc605-6W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish in the Official Report the correspondence and documentation sent to him by the hon. Member for Eccles and received from the Wales Council for the Disabled about suppositories and bedtime urine drainage bags; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what representations he Chas received about the difficulties suffered by patients with bladder and bowel disfunction following the removal of certain medication from the prescribing list; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what representations he has received from patients with bladder or bowel disfunctions about the change of prescribing policy for bedtime urine drainage bags; if he will review the situation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Whitney

We have received a number of letters from, and on behalf of, patients with bladder or bowel disfunctions. These letters include correspondence provided by the hon. Member for Eccles from the Wales Council for the Disabled to which we will reply shortly. Because the reflux of urine from a drainage bag is a possible source of infection, it was decided that those night drainage bags which did not have a non-return valve should be excluded from the list of prescribable appliances from 1 July 1985. However, because some patients experienced difficulty with the alternative products, these bags will be made available on prescription again with effect from 1 December 1985.