Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of freedom of information requests by the Spinal Injuries Association that show large regional variation in the provision of services for patients with spinal injuries with regard to neurogenic bowel care interventions, including digital rectal stimulation and the digital removal of faeces; and what action they plan to take in response to those findings.

We have made no assessment. Neurogenic bowel care interventions, including digital rectal examination, digital rectal stimulation and the digital removal of faeces are all locally commissioned services.

NHS England’s Excellence in continence care guidance, published in 2018, gives practical guidance for commissioners, providers, health and social care staff to help ensure people receive excellent continence care consideration. It addresses how providers can overcome implementation challenges of services such as digital rectal examination, digital rectal stimulation and the digital removal of faeces services. A copy of the guidance is attached.