§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 7 November,Official Report, column256, what statutory provisions exist for charging for incontinence pads by local health authorities to those who are not in-patients or in nursing homes.
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§ Mr. DorrellThere are no statutory provisions allowing health authorities to charge NHS patients for incontinence pads in the course of treatment. Health authorities nevertheless have discretion to provide the level and form of service they judge to be appropriate.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 7 November,Official Report, column 256, whether he will now provide details of the guidance issued to health authorities on the supply of incontinence pads; and if he will make a statment.
§ Mr. DorrellThe NHS management executive issued guidance on the supply of incontinence aids—EL(91)28—on 18 February, and guidance on charging—EL(91)129—on 24 October. In addition, the report of a departmental review, "An Agenda for Action on Continence Services", was issued to the health service with a ministerial letter—ML(91)1 of 31 July—and listed key features of an effective local continence service. Copies of this guidance are available in the Library.