Thousands of patients are being left without adequate support to manage bladder and bowel conditions due to a cap on NHS continence pads.

Campaigners have welcomed the support of Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles, who has spoken out about the ‘rationing’ of continence products, which affects people living with bladder and bowel conditions.

Freedom of information data shows that more than half of NHS trusts currently limit the number of pads patients can receive daily, with 34 per cent capping it at three pads per day and the remaining 66 per cent allowing four—below what many healthcare professionals consider necessary.

Ms Eccles said: “No one should be left without the support they need to manage a health condition with dignity.

“Blanket limits on continence products can place enormous pressure on patients, carers and families, while potentially creating greater costs elsewhere in the NHS through avoidable complications and hospital admissions.”

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the Association of Continence Professionals both recommend that continence care should be based on individual clinical need.

An NHS trust pilot found that issuing better-fitting pads reduced staff time spent on continence care by 47 per cent and potentially saved £188,000 annually.

Almost two-thirds of healthcare professionals said they have provided patients with pads unsuitable for their needs, with one in 20 doing so routinely.

Tracy Whitehouse, service manager and adult specialist nurse at Bladder and Bowel UK, said: “The correct provision of continence pads is essential to maintain a person’s health, dignity, safety, comfort and quality of life, as well as the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of care services.

“Getting provision wrong can lead to skin breakdown, social isolation, the potential for falls, UTIs and potentially avoidable hospital admission – at what cost?

“The right pad for the right person is an exact science; it is not a one size fits all.”

Ms Eccles and other MPs are urging the Government to ensure that NHS executives, procurement managers and NHS Supply Chain comply with NICE guidance and provide patients with enough appropriate products to meet their clinical needs.