Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the document Guidance for the provision of absorbent products for adult incontinence, published by the Association of Continence Professionals and the Royal College of Nursing in February 2023, which states that the number of absorbent products provided per 24 hours must “meet patients’ fundamental care needs, including maintaining independence”, consistent with NICE guidance QS54, CG49 and NG123; and what steps they are taking to ensure that that guidance is followed by NHS and social care providers in England.

We are aware of the most recent publication by the Royal College of Nursing relating to continence pads. NHS England published Excellence in Continence Care on 23 July 2018, bringing together evidence-based resources and research for guidance for commissioners, providers, health and social care staff. This guidance covers both urinary and bowel, also known as faecal, incontinence. A copy of the guidance is attached.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is an independent body and is responsible for making decisions on whether its published guidelines should be updated in light of new evidence or emerging issues not in the scope of the original guideline.

NICE maintains surveillance of new evidence that may affect its published guidance and would consult on proposed changes with a wide range of stakeholders if significant new evidence was to emerge.

Both integrated care boards (ICBs) and healthcare providers are expected to take into consideration national guidance when commissioning and delivering services, respectively.