Incontinence: Products

(asked on 28th June 2023) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 6 June 2023 to Question 186358 on Incontinence: Products, whether the (a) quality specifications and (b) Rothwell scale applied to the procurement of absorbent incontinence products include scoring of (i) ease of use, (ii) comfort, (iii) comparative reduction in leakages and (iv) quality of life and health outcomes.


Answered by
Will Quince Portrait
Will Quince
This question was answered on 3rd July 2023

The Rothwell scale is an industry standard to measure the working absorbency of disposable continence products, enabling transparency and comparability of products fluid management. Subjective quality metrics like ease of use and comfort, will be user dependent. Objective elements that contribute to subjective elements such as comfort are included. For example, specifications include elasticated flexible sides, guard channels to reduce leakage, super absorbent polymers to remove fluid from skin contact. When a trust selects a supplier, the trust will evaluate potential suppliers on the framework.

The above listed benefits of leakage reductions are expected to be observed during the pilots scheduled for the value-based procurement projects. Products listed vary in size, shape and absorbency, and this reflects the “need” of the individual as the level and degree of incontinence of the individual will aid the type of continence product used and/or the frequency with which it is renewed.

The current framework for disposable continence products has been extended for 24 months, with an expiry date of August 2025. Strategies for the next framework agreement are due to begin imminently, with the above listed criteria included.

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