| 'Bleak funding picture' for continence care services | Posted on 28/08/2008 in Medical Government/ NHS related news Limited government funding has resulted in a bleak picture for continence care services, it has been claimed.
Recent research by the UK trade association for absorbent disposable continence care products found a wide variance in continence services across the health service, increased workloads and vacancies not being filled.
The AHPMA survey also found morale is lower than that recorded five years ago in the majority of trusts, while there was an "unacceptably low" level of funding in many primary care trusts.
In total, two-fifths of the 148 respondents said waiting times for assessment and treatment are increasing, with several months not being an unusual duration.
"Responses indicated that around half of trusts exclude certain patients groups from receiving products," AHPMA said.
It noted that those with "light" urinary incontinence are excluded, but added this volume was not defined in comparison to medium or heavy, while patient choice was also restricted.
The organisation called for a radical review of continence services at government and strategic planning for this field as demand increases due to demographic changes.
In February 2008, the government announced the launch of a new scheme to give greater support to patients with diseases like incontinence and renal failure through the development of new healthcare products.Other news stories from 28/08/2008
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