HC Deb 16 July 1992 vol 211 cc897-8W
Sir John Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will make a statement on the progress being made by the task force established to oversee implementation of the agenda for action on continence services;

(2) what action her Department is taking to collect models of good practice for the delivery of continence services and supplies; and how these are being disseminated to the relevant authorities;

(3) if she will make a statement on whether her Department will be carrying out a public awareness initiative of incontinence;

(4) what progress her Department has made on the improvement in training and education of all people providing continence services as recommended in the agenda for action on continence services;

(5) how provision for incontinence services is being addressed by local authorities and health authorities under the new community care and health arrangements; and what advice her Department is giving to those authorities on the need for joint planning in this field.

Mr. Yeo

The task force is taking forward the recommendations on cost effectiveness, GP, nurse and other professional training, and publicity. Research is being commissioned on the effectiveness of different service models, with a view to helping health authorities adopt best practices. The Department is making a one year grant of £35,000 towards setting up a resource centre to he known as the Continence Foundation. In the spring of next year, the Royal College of Physicians plans to hold a conference on continence services with the Department's support. The results will be published and practical service needs emphasised. A public awareness campaign is planned for 1993–94 to encourage people to come forward for advice and assessment. Discussions on professional training continue with the professional bodies responsible for curricula and training delivery including the English National Board, on nursing. Material is being considered for distribution to GPs and GP trainers later in the year. The National Health Service Management Executive continues to keep local NHS services under review.