Procurement and provision of absorbent continence products

That this House notes that incontinence has a major impact on patient’s lives, is strongly linked to loss of self esteem and confidence, embarrassment, stigma and reduced mental wellbeing; further notes that half of NHS Trusts impose a limit on the number of continence pads which patients may be issued each day, which is inconsistent with NICE guidelines and advice from the Association of Continence Professionals; also notes that almost two thirds of healthcare professionals caring for patients with incontinence say they have fitted unsuitable pads, with one in twenty saying they have to do so routinely; notes that such poor provision risks compromising the dignity, quality of life and health outcomes of millions of patients, leading to avoidable skin and urinary tract infections; further notes that an NHS Trust pilot study found that switching to better-fitting incontinence products reduced the time staff spent on continence care by 47%, saved potentially £188,000 a year in costs, saw 42% of residents become more independent in managing their incontinence needs, and resulted in a 100% drop in leakages; and invites on the Secretary of State for Health to ensure that NHS executives, procurement managers and NHS Supply Chain comply with NICE guidance to ensure that all patients living with incontinence are issued with adequate supplies of appropriate pads to meet their needs.