§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor), 20 May 1999,Official Report, column 427, concerning continence services, what assessment he has made of the extent of compliance with guidance HSG (92) 50 and HSG (95) 8. [91947]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 19 July 1999]: Since Health Service Guidance (95)8 was issued in February 1995 National Health Service Executive Regional Offices have regularly monitored the implementation of local policies and eligibility criteria for continuing care. The most recent progress report was issued in 1997 (Executive Letter (97/62/CI97(24)). This report suggested that there should be three main areas where health and local authorities should target activity—the development of joint investment plans, the development of recuperation and rehabilitation services and multi-disciplinary assessment.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates he has made of the level of expenditure by the NHS on incontinence services in each of the last five years. [91944]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 19 July 1999]: Information on continence services is not collected centrally and no such estimates have been made. Local health authorities are responsible for commissioning continence services to meet the needs of their local population. The National Health Service Executive is reviewing continence service policy and plans to issue updated guidance shortly.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to issue updated guidance on continence services. [91945]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 19 July 1999]: Updated guidance is being developed in the light of the current review of continence policy services. We hope to issue this shortly.