Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe, has questioned the Health Service Executive (HSE) over changes they introduced which he claims have left many elderly incontinent patients with inferior pads. Crowe claims his views are backed by many service users and he has called on the HSE to immediately address the issue.

The Dublin South West Deputy was responding to a reply he received from the HSE to a Parliamentary Question that he asked on the issue, which suggests that the specifications for incontinent pads is currently under review in advance of any future contracts being awarded.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“Families of elderly people and children who are incontinent have been in touch with my office regarding changes that have been made to the delivery and type of pads that had been introduced over the last twelve months, which they claim are inferior and have forced them say to double up their usage.

“These changes are having a negative effect on vulnerable users and their families and this is clearly unacceptable.

“The HSE’s suggestion in their reply to my parliamentary question that the pads be “fluffed up” might seem reasonable to the authors but disregards the physical ability of many of these users, some of whom also suffer from additional ailments like severe arthritis.

“I do welcome that the specifications for incontinent pads is currently under review in advance of any future contracts being awarded.

“These pads are vital for the dignity of the user and in many ways help people live a normal independent life.

“For anyone using these pads, confidence and certainty about their quality, and the sustainability of the product is vital.

“I suppose the most important factor is that they don’t leak and can be relied on to last for a reasonable period.

“Many people personally spoke to me of their hardship of having to ‘double up’ and that ‘accidents’ were constantly happening.

“I would hate to think that in the race to save money in the HSE, vulnerable people were being used as guinea pigs for inferior products to somehow save some cash.

“This appalling vista is the belief held by many of the individuals who approached my office and led me to submit a Dáil question on their behalf.

“Numerous families also believe that the availability of pads have also been reduced in recent years, putting further pressure on their finances and their loved ones who are dependent on the pads.

“Surely we need to be doing everything in our power to support these families and not cutting back on the quality and the basic essentials that necessary to live some sort of normal life. The fact that the present Government is doing this on the background of slashing the respite grant suggests that they give little thought to some of our most vulnerable citizens”.

ENDS

Note PQ and Reply below:

Re: 9958/15:“To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the allocation of incontinent
pads for elderly medical patients has been cut and the quality downgraded; and if he will make a
statement on the matter”

Dear Deputy Crowe,

I refer to the above Parliamentary Questions which has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct response to you.

The HSE currently holds a contract with Ontex for Disposable Containment Continence Products for Adults and Children. There were changes made regarding delivery frequency to in June 2014 by the company, but were reversed to previous arrangements from October 2014 due to service user dissatisfaction. The guideline allowance for Prescribing Clinicians (Continence Advisors and Public Health Nurses) continues to be 4 pads per day – if this does not suffice, product absorbency requirement is reviewed and upgraded.

The product supplied by Ontex was changed from ‘Euron’ to ‘ID Brand’ in July 2014. The HSE were advised by Service Users and Prescribing Clinicians that ‘ID Brand’ products did not appear to have the same absorbency levels as ‘Euron’; Ontex advised that ‘ID Brand’ products have the same absorbency properties, however they are packed tighter and the material needs to be fluffed prior to application to maximise efficiency. The ‘ID Brand’ Product is within the current HSE contract specification.

The specification for Disposable Containment Continence Products is currently under review by a HSE Technical Group in advance of any future contract tender. This takes into account all feedback from Service Users and Staff over the term of the current contract.

Prescribing Clinicians recommend allocation based on presenting need – this is a continuous process and therefore takes account of the changing needs of the individual Service User. The minimal frequency of assessment recommended is annually, as outlined in the NICE guidelines. The HSE recommend 6 monthly Service User reviews where possible.