LONDON, May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the All Party Parliamentary Group for Continence Care is launching a report: "Cost-Effective Commissioning for Continence Care" in the House of Commons. This will provide a valuable guidance tool for GP Consortia to commission improved continence services. Continence care is a taboo subject although around six million men, women and children in the UK are affected. The full report is at http://www.appgcontinence.org.uk

The aim of this report is to maintain dignity and relieve physical and emotional suffering in the millions of people with continence issues.

This commissioning guide has been compiled by a dedicated team of expert continence care professionals and has received the endorsement of major organisations and charities including the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Nursing (1). It provides a framework for implementing and monitoring a truly integrated continence service.

An integrated continence service should be clinically-driven, patient-sensitive and treatment focused. Evidence-based clinical pathways can deliver significant cost savings to the NHS by reducing catheterisations, pressure ulcers, hospitalisation for urinary tract infections, admission to care homes, and product usage.

Paul Burstow, Health Minister said: "I welcome the timely production by the APPG of the Guide: 'Cost Effective Commissioning for Continence Care'

He added: "Incontinence can so often be a hidden problem that affects so many people of all age groups. There should not be an assumption that people are doomed to suffer in silence. We all have a responsibility to ensure greater awareness that there are services that can help. Commissioners are key to ensuring that effective services are available and accessible to those who need them. This report is an important part of encouraging more widespread commissioning of cost effective solutions. I commend and congratulate all those who were involved in the development of this Guide."

Dr Clare Gerada, Chair of Council of the Royal College of General Practitioners said: "This document is a timely report in an area of healthcare which affects all ages. Incontinence impacts on all aspects of a patient's life and is costly to the NHS if the symptom is not proactively identified, diagnosed and treated."

Baroness Greengross, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Continence Care said: "This timely and useful guide illustrates the importance of continence care and sets out how to commission and deliver a quality integrated service which meets patient's needs and is cost-effective to the NHS. Continence problems can affect any member of the population, young or old. Incontinence can have a profoundly negative impact on a person's quality of life creating isolation, loss of dignity and other health and emotional problems. The wider cost implications of not providing adequate care are significant. Patients should be able to expect and receive prompt assessment and care to enable them to carry on living full and active lives."

"At a time of great change in the NHS and whilst the Government is currently conducting a 'listening exercise' during its pause in consideration of the Health and Social Care Bill, we feel it is vital to bring this issue to the attention of all commissioner and policymakers."

Issued by: Tracy Stewart,Secretariat to the APPG for Continence Care

Download Report: http://www.appgcontinence.org.uk

    
    EDITORS NOTES:

    Key Facts:

    - Around 4 - 6 million people experience continence problems in the UK
    - 1 in 12 children and young people in the UK experience wetting and
      soiling difficulties
    - Around 3.7 million women in the UK suffer stress incontinence - a high
      percentage can be cured or improved
    - Incontinence is more prevalent than asthma, epilepsy and dementia

    (1) Charities and Organisations Supporting 'Cost Effective Commissioning
        for Continence Care'

    Age UK
    Association of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalous (ASBAH)
    Association for Continence Advice (ACA)
    Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women's Health (ACPWH)
    Bladder and Bowel Foundation (B&BF)
    British Society of Urogynaecology (BSUG)
    Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence (ERIC)
    International Continence Society (ICS)
    International Longevity Centre - UK (ILC-UK)
    Multiple Sclerosis Society
    Paediatric Continence Forum (PCF)
    Patients Association
    PromoCon
    Royal College of Nursing (RCN)
    Royal College of Physcians (RCP)
    United Kingdom Continence Society (UKCS)

SOURCE All Party Parliamentary Group for Continence Care