§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if the forthcoming guidance on continence services will seek to eliminate existing regional variations in standards of care and create a national minimum standard of continence care; [99305]
(2) if the forthcoming guidance on continence services will remove the existing ambiguity over the rights of people in residential care to receive a full NHS continence service; [99304]
(3) if the forthcoming guidance on continence services will ensure that health authorities (a) promote local continence services to the public and (b) receive funds to safeguard that promotion. [99307]
§ Mr. HuttonI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 1 November 1999,Official Report, column 50W.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health under what circumstances NHS policy determines whether an individual is entitled to continence services.[99306]
§ Mr. HuttonAnyone with a continence problem will normally approach their general practitioner in the first instance. The GP will then decide what steps to take to treat their continence problem. This can include referral to a continence nurse specialist for appropriate treatment.