Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level inflation on the affordability of continence products for unpaid carers.

No specific assessment has been made. In July 2018, NHS England published ‘Excellence in Continence Care’ which collates evidence-based resources and research for guidance for commissioners, providers, health and social care staff, which is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/excellence-in-continence-care/

NHS England is planning an assessment of adherence to ‘Excellence in Continence Care’, and its pandemic recovery and restoration plans include continence services. NHS England has also established the National Bladder and Bowel Health Project to improve continence care.