Thousands speak out against Government Proposals
The Government is expected to make an annnouncement regarding its payment system for urology and stoma products following a two year consultation.
Manufacturers and suppliers of these products have spoken out against the proposals which could halt payments for home delivery of prescription continence products to thousands of urology patients.
Many Link readers rely on home deliveries of continence products. This is what they think….
“I signed the petition against these proposals on the Downing Street website earlier in the year because it is something I feel very strongly about.
“The two-piece products I use come in boxes of ten. I order four boxes of each plus any extras I need every month so it is a bulky order. These are delivered to my home within 48 hours of ordering them. I do not have to get the prescription myself.
"A repeat prescription takes up to three days to obtain. I would have to wait at least another three days for the products to arrive at the chemist. If I had to collect them from the chemist I’d need help loading them into the car and help getting them into the house. It would be possible but many people, especially those who rely on public transport or taxis, would struggle.”
Carole Armour, Your Voice committee member
“If the Government does reduce funding for home deliveries a lot of people will be affected.
“For me it would be very time consuming and inconvenient because I work full-time. But the situation would be even harder for those who use wheelchairs – they would have great difficulty in collecting large orders.
“I’m also concerned that the number of continence products available could be reduced. I have used the same equipment for 20 years and I’m very comfortable with it. If it was withdrawn I know it could seriously affect my life and my confidence.”
Nick Woodward, Your Voice committee member
“The delivery of continence products including, catheters, incontinence pads and bowel irrigation systems is essential in the daily lives of thousands of older and disabled people.
“This is a reliable service and meets the needs of those living alone and the housebound. Incontinence as a life-changing problem is hard enough. Discontinuing this service will create major problems for users and pharmacists concerning storage and coordination.
“If Ministers understood the impact of these cost-cutting experiments, they may reconsider.
“Having recently met a Minister for Social Care and Health to relay how insufficient social care funds had negative impact on vulnerable people, he appeared not to grasp the severity of the problem. What chance do we have?
Keith Collins, service user
“My son John has continence packs delivered to home and it would be very inconvenient for us to collect supplies from the chemist.
“First we would have to request prescription from GP surgery, which is six miles away. 48 hours later we would collect the prescription and take it to the chemist which is 14 miles away.
“That adds up to nearly 70 miles and if you don't have your own transport you’ve had it because the bus service is very limited.”
Pat Edwards