§ Mr. HannamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to increase the number of incontinence advisers in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonIt is for individual health authorities to decide for themselves both the level of provision, and the pace and direction of further developments in their services, in the light of their local needs and circumstances.
We do, however, expect health authorities to provide appropriate services for incontinent people, and in 1977 the Department's chief nursing officer wrote to all health authorities advising them that the management of incontinence should he clearly identified as the responsibility of a designated special nurse, who should act as a "resource person" for nurses working in hospitals and the community services. Since then, most district health authorities have appointed at least one in continence adviser. Community nurses also provide advice and assessment as part of their nursing duties.