§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that resources are available to ensure that every person suffering from, or suspected of suffering from, incontinence receives a medical and nursing assessment; what information he has about the variations from one part of the country to another in this regard; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayIt is for each health board to allocate its resources on the basis of its knowledge of local needs and priorities. Assessment is provided, following referral by the general practitioner, in urological and, increasingly, gynaecological units. Its availability in different areas reflects the different approaches and interests of the clinicians dealing with incontinence.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what evaluations have been made on the quality of the goods used in the management of incontinence; what evaluation units have been set-up within his Department; what are proposed in assessing the quality of goods; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe results of the most recent evaluation of incontinence pads and garments, including clinical trials, technical assessments and a review of laboratory testing, were published in the Health Departments' health equipment information series in October 1986.
Goods used in the management of incontinence are provided to Scottish health boards under contracts or special price arrangements arranged by the Scottish Health Service Common Services Agency (CSA). These goods conform with standards of quality and/or specification established either by the DHSS procurement directorate or by CSA contract adjudication panels.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what advice his Department gives to general practitioners and hospital authorities regarding the treatment of incontinence caused by constipation; what investigations his Department has done on the subject of bowel management and faecal impaction; and if he will make a statement;
(2) who is responsible for co-ordinating and advising on the problems of incontinence and its treatment in all forms; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. John MacKayHealth boards and local authorities are responsible for co-ordinating and advising on the problems of incontinence and for the provision of services. Detailed clinical advice to individuals is best given by general practitioners and hospital medical and nursing staff. Any soundly-based proposals for financial support for research into aspects of incontinence will be carefully considered
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department will provide courses for general practitioners to assist them to recognise overflow incontinence in the case of severely constipated patients who are referred to geriatric hospitals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayNo. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 13 January 1987 [Official Report, Vol. 108, c. 163].