Incontinence Services (Hansard, 4 March 1991)

§ Mrs. Ann Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the existing project on incontinence drawing on evidence from the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys surveys started; when he expects it to finish; who is carrying out the project; and how the results will be used in developing the incontinence services.

§ Mr. Dorrell
The project, undertaken by the social policy research unit, university of York, commenced in September 1990 and is scheduled for completion in April 1991. The purpose is to relate the OPCS data to previous United Kingdom research on incontinence and incontinence services so as to establish a starting point for measuring outcomes.

§ Mrs. Ann Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the meeting between the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 15 January with representatives from the Spinal Injuries Association, Age Concern England and the Association of Continence22W Advisers on the incontinence services; what were the views expressed by those organisations; and what was his response.

§ Mr. Dorrell
It was agreed that, across the country, there were wide variations in the level of services to people with incontinence. The Department is looking at how best to tackle this problem. In the meantime the NHS management executive has written to all district health authorities drawing their attention to existing policy guidelines on continence services, and reminding them of the need not to expose vulnerable patients or clients to anxiety as a result of any proposed changes in arrangements for the supply of incontinence pads.

§ Mrs. Ann Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for Health who will carry out the project on the role of continence advisers due to start in April 1991; with whom they will consult and work; within what financial parameter they will look at the future roles of continence advisers; and when he expects the project to finish.

§ Mr. Dorrell
The project will be conducted by the social policy research unit, university of York, and is expected to take two years. The researchers aim to make contact with all existing continence advisers, a representative sample of health and social service managers, and other interested parties. The researchers are free to make whatever recommendations they think appropriate.