incontinence assessment - pads available on NHS?

[Thenicknamesarerunningout]

Df now has needs in this area. Gp is going to arrange an assessment but apparently they don't prescribe pads. Checking on the NHS website, it says you may be entitled to pads on the NHS depending on the Clinical Commissioning Group.

Has anyone else come across this - I'm just wondering if this means the local CCG doesn't provide them. (Obviously I will ask the Gp as well! but it is so useful to have mners experiences too!)

And presumably there are other benefits from an assessment even if it doesn't lead to prescribing pads?

Hi, In our area it's the continence nurse specialist who prescribed the pads. First of all we had a home visit and they gave us a variety to try, then when we settled on the type we preferred, the repeat prescription was written up. There is an automatic delivery every three months. We've had reviews over the phone since. Great service. I hope yours will be too - once you get to where you need to be.

Thanks so much greenplum, as far as I know it's a nurse who does the assessment in this locality, so perhaps it just means that s/he prescribes rather than the gp surgery doing it. I'll ask the surgery for more info, but it's always useful to hear about people's practical experience!

Your service sounds great - as you say, will be good if it's the same here!

Continence service provision varies from area to area, some CCGs have arrangements for local health provision to fund pads for free, some don't, as it's a local decision. The continence service will tell you. They usually have a long wait for assessment

As previous posters have said really. It’s not a GP thing. It’s a separate thing. And just be aware (if you are not already) that the ones provided will not resemble the ones available to buy in chemists etc.

Unfortunately to buy them yourself is so expensive, but over the years I’ve met many older people who do just that because the prefer the pull up pant style over the standard slip pad or wrap-a-round style.

DD has Tena pull ups, just like the ones in the major supermarkets and Boots. I was given some different pads and pants to try at first. DD couldn’t really cope with pads, so pull ups were best. The Incontinence Service has been supplying them for about 7 years.

Have you spoken with the local District Nurse?

Even if you have to buy them yourself an assessment is worth it. We found the key to getting help across a range of services was being in 'the system'. It's much easier to get help when needed if you already show up on their computer. So even if an assessment for a service shows they cant help at the moment it's worth having.

District nurse is usually your access point. Some CCG's will supply, some won't. When I was district nursing it was limited to three pads per day, and they were the type held in place with net underwear, so got mixed reviews!

Definitely at least worth asking about whether you can get pads in your local area - either district nurse or continence service.
Even if he is not entitled to pads, they may be able to assess and come to with ways to manage his continence.

E.g - is it because he can't get to the toilet in time - a urine bottle near his chair could help, and he can empty it afterwards
E.g is he constantly dribbling - a conveen might be better and stop skin damage

Rules are different in each area, and bare in mind that even if he is entitled to pads, they might not have any that he finds suitable - most areas don't offer pull up type pants, some might only offer pads if you need the largest ones, or only offer pads if there is no other way to manage his incontinence. The continence nurse may also be able to suggest some medication depending on why he is suffering from incontinence.