HOME DELIVERY OF INTERMITTENT CATHETERS

That this House notes with concern that patients and users of intermittent catheters will be disproportionately affected in the proposed new arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and urology appliances - and related services - in primary care, as the proposed home delivery service payment is not reflective of the true cost of delivery for dispensing appliance contractors (DACs) of this product; acknowledges that successfully maintaining continence conditions at home reduces demands on local healthcare professionals and avoids unnecessary admissions to hospitals due to complications and infections; further notes that one of the objectives in the revised proposals is to ensure equitable payment to DACs and pharmacy contractors for equivalent services, but that DACs will still not be able to claim an expensive prescription fee which is currently available to pharmacy contractors; and therefore urges the Government to ensure that the revised proposals are not to the detriment of users of intermittent catheters, as serious medical conditions associated with the need for these products means that they are often mobility-impaired or confined to their home for long periods and are therefore reliant on the home delivery and additional services to manage their conditions.