§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial support she has given and will be giving to National Continence Day; and if she will make a statement. [14231]
§ Mr. BowisThe Department is providing £160,000 this year to support National Continence Day, which will be held on 21 March 1995, and for on-going work in this area.
35WOver 3 million adults and half a million children in the United Kingdom are estimated to suffer from incontinence. The majority of them—around 70 per cent.—could be successfully treated. Many others could have their quality of life improved by the provision of the right type of incontinence aids, but only one in six sufferers seeks help.
The Department of Health, working jointly with the Continence Foundation, has produced publicity items which refer people to their pharmacists for advice or give the numbers of the Continence Foundation and the Enuresis Resource and Information Centre helplines.