§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) 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;
(2) 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;
(3) 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;
(4) if he will sponsor and encourage the Disabled Living Foundation and other voluntary organisations in publicity campaigns, teach-ins, and so on, regarding the care of the incontinent in the community; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FairgrieveThe Scottish health education unit already distribute an advisory leaflet which gives useful information on the problem of incontinence and the sources of advice and assistance in relation to treatment, facilities and equipment. Personal advice to individuals to enable them to lead fully integrated lives in the community is given by general practitioners, district nurses, health visitors or social workers.
The Disabled Living Foundation does not operate in Scotland but information material is produced by the Scottish Council on Disability, which comes under the aegis of the Scottish Council of Social Service. Both these bodies receive financial assistance from my Department with specific help going to the latter for the organisation of conferences and exhibitions on clothing for the disabled including garments for the incontinent.
Health boards and local authorities are aware of the need to develop close working relationships and I have no evidence that patients are being deprived of aids or services through lack of liaison between these authorities.
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§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is his estimate of the number of persons suffering from incontinence in Scotland; 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;
(2) how many men and women in Scotland 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; if he will make a statement;
§ Mr. FairgrieveNational information about the prevalence of this symptom, which relates to various illnesses and conditions, is not available. It mainly affects the elderly and probably more than a third of hospital geriatric patients are incontinent to some degree. For the year 1978, the latest year for which figures are available, it is known from school medical examinations that at entry some 3,800 children suffered from incontinence, and that 300 did so at the time of the leaving medical examination.
Guidance on the provision of aids to people suffering from incontinence was given by my Department to health boards in NHS circulars No. 1976(GEN)11 and No. 1976(GEN)90, which were also sent to local authorities. Copies were placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland 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.
§ Mr. FairgrieveMy Department has invited proposals for such projects and at present gives financial support of up to £51,000 for medical research being undertaken at the Walton urological teaching and research centre, Southern General hospital, Glasgow (£39,000) and at the geriatric assessment unit, Long-more hospital, Edinburgh (£12,000). The National Health Service in Scotland also462W benefits from the research sponsored by the other health departments of the United Kingdom.