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Commissioning Guide

Cost-effective Commissioning For Continence Care

On 23rd May 2011, the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Continence Care launched a guide for commissioners in the House of Commons.

The report, written by continence care professionals, has two aims. It provides a framework when commissioning integrated continence care services, and demonstrates the costly consequences to the NHS and patients if this is ignored. It also aims to raise the awareness of the general public to this very common, misunderstood but rarely discussed symptom, and remove the taboo surrounding the issue. Patients were consulted during the writing of the document and their comments are, quite rightly, prominent in the final report.

Baroness Sally Greengross OBE, Chair of the APPG welcomed attendees and the Secretary, Rosie Cooper MP, gave a short address acknowledging a supportive statement from Paul Burstow MP, Minister for Care Services.

Earl Howe, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health, spoke and congratulated the APPG on the report. He said:

'While there are guidelines and much good practice, we know from the world's largest national audit programme that care varies widely across the country.

This is unacceptable. We need commissioners and providers to work together to tackle this issue through better and more person centred services. This Guide is a step towards this.'

Earl Howe also spoke about the Dignity in Care Campaign and said that public awareness of incontinence and continence services was being raised through the NHS Choices programme. He added:

'Our dignity is what makes us feel human. That so many face, often for no good reason, the indignity of incontinence is something that everyone working in the Health Service and social care should be not only aware of but determined to tackle.'

The launch was the culmination of 6 months hard work. In November 2010, the NHS Reforms were gathering pace and continence specialist posts and services were already being cut to save money. On behalf of the APPG, a small group of clinicians met to discuss a way forward to save the expertise of continence specialists and valuable services for patients. This report is the result of their efforts.

Once organisations knew the document was being written the support was tremendous. Given the very short time-scale, fifteen organisations gave their endorsement in time for the first print run and there are already more to be added for the next print run.

Representatives from the list of supporters and many of those who had contributed to the report attended the launch, along with MPs, Peers, civil servants, health professionals and the media.

The AHPMA (Absorbent Hygiene Product Manufacturers Association) has facilitated the report for the APPG. Clinicians have written this in their own time.

This report is only the beginning of the campaign to raise awareness and improve continence care for the future.

You can download a copy of the report by clicking here

Wendy Colley OBE
Freelance Continence Specialist