§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied with the liaison which exists between 509W 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.
§ Mr. AlisonHealth and personal social services are integrated in Northern Ireland and are provided by the health and social services boards which take into account available resources and local circumstances. No central guidance is issued as this may not fit local conditions.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is his estimate of the number of persons suffering from incontinence in Northern Ireland; 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 Northern Ireland 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; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonThere is no reliable information about the number of people in Northern Ireland suffering from incontinence. Health and social service boards provide services for the incontinent, taking into account local considerations, and no guidance is issued centrally. A household survey of the handicapped is currently being undertaken and this will provide boards with information about people suffering from incontinence.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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.
§ Mr. AlisonI am satisfied that existing arrangements make adequate provision for professional staff to update their knowledge and skills on this aspect of their work and also for appropriate supportive schemes to help incontinent people living in their own homes. The Northern Ireland health and social services boards provide these services in the light of available resources and local circumstances.
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§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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.
§ Mr. AlisonThe Health Education Council already distributes an advisory leaflet on the subject of incontinence, and the Northern Ireland Council of Social Service also provides helpful information. However, in the first instance individuals should seek advice on the management of incontinence from their general practitioner, district nurse or health visitor.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. AlisonMy Department gives financial support to the Northern Ireland Council of Social Service and other voluntary organisations working on behalf of disabled and elderly people among whom incontinence may be a problem. The Northern Ireland Council of Social Service provides an information service which includes advice on incontinence and is closely modelled on the Disabled Living Foundation's information service.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. AlisonNo research projects specifically directed at incontinence are being funded at present but health and social services in Northern Ireland benefit from national research.