§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what are the statutory responsibilities of(a) district health authorities, (b) trusts and (c) family health services authorities for the provision of incontinence services;
(2) what requirements exist in respect of minimal standards of provision of incontinence services;
(3) what requirement is placed on district health authorities, trusts and family health services authorities to publicise the availability of incontinence services.
§ Mr. BowisWhere there is shown to be a medical need for health services, health authorities, national health service trusts and family health services authorities have a general duty to provide them, subject to priorities set for the use of the resources available. The NHS planning guidelines for 1994–95—EL(93)54—issued on 29 June 1993 require district health authorities to ensure that continence services conform to the guidelines in the departmental report "An Agenda for Action on Continence Services" which was issued to the chairmen of NHS authorities in 1991. Copies of both documents are available in the Library. The report lists the key features of an effective local service including active publicity work. The 1994–95 planning guidelines also require health authorities to set specific challenging targets for reductions in the prevalence of treatable incontinence.
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§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision is made within fundholding general practice budgets for incontinence services.
§ Mr. BowisNo specific provision is made but all general practitioners advise their patients on problems of incontinence.