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 1 June 2023 to Question 186357 on Incontinence: Products, whether the most economically advantageous tender approach takes into account whole system costs; and if he will make an assessment of the impact of this approach on (a) product innovation, (b) patient quality of life and health outcomes, (c) resilience in the supply chain and (d) whole system costs.

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.