Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance they give to health and care providers to ensure that patients with dementia who need absorbent pads to manage incontinence are able to access (1) the most clinically appropriate products for them, and (2) sufficient quantities of such products to meet their individual clinical needs.

No assessment of the cost implications of access to clinically appropriate products for dementia patients has been made. National Health Service commissioners in England are responsible for urinary continence care based on the available evidence and taking into account guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the commissioning of health services in their local health economy. NHS England’s Excellence in Continence Care guidance brings together evidence-based resources and research for guidance for commissioners, providers, health and social care staff, further indicates that personalised care including personal health budgets can be arranged locally by ICBs to help people manage and pay for their continence care needs.