Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when there was last a comprehensive assessment of local continence care service needs; and whether there is a strategy in place to meet those needs in the context of formalising integrated care boards across England.

In 2018, NHS England published ‘Excellence in Continence Care’ to improve the care and experience of patients with continence issues. While no assessment has been made of local continence care service needs, the guidance was produced with patient and public advocates, clinicians and partners from the third sector.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) will take on the commissioning functions of clinical commissioning groups and some of NHS England’s commissioning functions. There are no specific requirements on ICBs to assess local continence needs. However, ICBs will be responsible for providing a comprehensive health service for their local populations. ‘Excellence in Continence Care’ is a strategy for commissioners, which will include ICBs once established, to enable collaboration with providers and others.