Enuresis (Hansard, 2 April 2003)

§ Mr. Paul Marsden
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the drug therapies available to treat children with enuresis; and what proportion of children with enuresis are receiving drug treatment for the condition. [105808]

§ Jacqui Smith
Drug therapy is an option in the treatment of childhood enuresis. There are four drugs that can be used to treat children with enuresis listed in the British National Formulary (BNF 6.5.2 Desmopressin Acetate, 4.3.1 Amitriptyline Hydrochloride, Imipramine Hydrochloride and Nortriptyline).
Information on the number of children with enuresis and on those who receive the drugs listed above is not collected centrally. However, it is estimated that around 180,000 prescription items for these drugs were dispensed in the community in England for children in 2001. This relates to prescription items rather than numbers of children. Also this does not take account of prescription items dispensed in hospitals or private prescriptions.

§ Mr. Paul Marsden
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on including the treatment of enuresis in the Children's National Service Framework. [105810]

§ Jacqui Smith
I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton) on 24 February 2003,Official Report, columns 33–34W and on 4 March 2003, Official Report, column 996W.

§ Mr. Paul Marsden
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on how he ensures that children with enuresis are treated equally in each primary care trust; [105811]
(2) how many children suffer from enuresis in (a) England and (b) each strategic health authority. [105812]

§ Jacqui Smith
Early development of the national service framework for children, young people and maternity services has shown that the standards set will be relevant to, although not specifically about, the management of enuresis. One key theme being developed is improving the management of common childhood illnesses and health concerns. The new standards will help to ensure that children and young people are able to access appropriate services at the right time and that they can take an active part in making decisions about their care.
774W
Information on the numbers of children with enuresis is not collected centrally.